Legendary Foundation of Rome Republic vs. Historical Realities and Women.
I will attempt to compare the legendary foundation of the republic of Rome described by Livy in a document called The Rape of Lucretia with the historical realities described in The History of Western Societies, a text book. I will also look at the structure of the Roman family and views on women. I will show that the description by Livy and the realities of Rome are very close and my hope is that you will be able to see how Livy’s myth could be plausible. I also hope that you will be able to see in my argument that women at this time were no more than a piece of property with minimal rights, but there was an aspect of respect as to the need for and devotion of women …show more content…
I do want to show there was a weird respect for women in the Roman society. One place that I noticed this is in a Roman epitaph on a grave marker from an unknown woman around the first century B.C. It says, “You provided abundantly for my needs during my flight [into political exile] and gave me the means for a dignified manner of living.” (History, 137). This is one long epitaph, but through-out the husband praises his wife for her good work and support that she was able to give. This can also be seen in the story by Livy when her husband takes pity on her and says, “There was no such intention, there could be no guilt.” (Sources, 74). This was in regard to Lucretia not being guilty of her rape. This was new, in some other societies both the woman and the man that engaged in this type of act would be punished and it did not matter if the woman was raped or not. On the other hand the woman was still a piece of property, either owned by her father or husband. This is made clear in a document call The Roman Wedding that is dated 160 A.D. It states that. “Choice of marriage partners was, therefore, not personal, but a way for families to advance their political status or business relationships. A wife was subject to her husband or her father (depending on the specific form of the marriage agreement) throughout her life.” (Sources, 76). As time moved on women would have additional rights, especially during wartime when men were off fighting, but women were always of lesser value from the men and were possessions “under the authority of a male head of household, including nonrelated slaves and servants.” This was the meaning of “’family’ (familia) in ancient Rome.” (History,
I will attempt to compare the legendary foundation of the republic of Rome described by Livy in a document called The Rape of Lucretia with the historical realities described in The History of Western Societies, a text book. I will also look at the structure of the Roman family and views on women. I will show that the description by Livy and the realities of Rome are very close and my hope is that you will be able to see how Livy’s myth could be plausible. I also hope that you will be able to see in my argument that women at this time were no more than a piece of property with minimal rights, but there was an aspect of respect as to the need for and devotion of women …show more content…
I do want to show there was a weird respect for women in the Roman society. One place that I noticed this is in a Roman epitaph on a grave marker from an unknown woman around the first century B.C. It says, “You provided abundantly for my needs during my flight [into political exile] and gave me the means for a dignified manner of living.” (History, 137). This is one long epitaph, but through-out the husband praises his wife for her good work and support that she was able to give. This can also be seen in the story by Livy when her husband takes pity on her and says, “There was no such intention, there could be no guilt.” (Sources, 74). This was in regard to Lucretia not being guilty of her rape. This was new, in some other societies both the woman and the man that engaged in this type of act would be punished and it did not matter if the woman was raped or not. On the other hand the woman was still a piece of property, either owned by her father or husband. This is made clear in a document call The Roman Wedding that is dated 160 A.D. It states that. “Choice of marriage partners was, therefore, not personal, but a way for families to advance their political status or business relationships. A wife was subject to her husband or her father (depending on the specific form of the marriage agreement) throughout her life.” (Sources, 76). As time moved on women would have additional rights, especially during wartime when men were off fighting, but women were always of lesser value from the men and were possessions “under the authority of a male head of household, including nonrelated slaves and servants.” This was the meaning of “’family’ (familia) in ancient Rome.” (History,