Raised in the atmosphere of love, acceptance, and gender equality Selena struggles to comprehend the magnitude of the misery and despair that of women across all socio-economic levels had to endure on a daily basis. From the beginning, newborn girls had a substantial disadvantage compared to their male counterparts risking of being abandoned based on the gender discrimination (251). Women held so little value in Rome that the birth of a girl would ensure a period of mourning in the family. No rights were granted to a girl, who was invisible, unwanted, and valueless. Her life and the prospects of the future existence would ultimately depend on the mercy of her father and brothers (118). Captured women were at the lowest position on the social
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Even being a part of the royal family, women often became a tool in financial or political negotiation among the clans. The marriage was arranged by the bride's father and brothers, and most women were married four to five times during their lifetime (117). Since the early age, families created contractual agreements and often had their children as young as two years old already engaged (121). There was no love or mutual affection in the arranged marriages, which were based on political or financial motives, leaving no voice to women (65). A woman might have lived a happy marital life for many years, but if a better deal became available, her father would terminate the current marriage and remarry her to someone else (117). The cruel societal expectation from such newly married woman was to forsake her female children from the previous marriage (65). Due to these practices, often, even women of high social status became a subject of public embarrassment and abandonment (73). Sexual promiscuity was prevalent, and it was common to have a wife of a high social status and concubines among actresses simultaneously. Occasionally, members of the royal family, such as Octavia, had a special dispensation, or permission excusing them from the mandatory contractual matrimony (117). Romans maintained gender segregation, prohibiting women to engage in the political activities, be a part of
Even being a part of the royal family, women often became a tool in financial or political negotiation among the clans. The marriage was arranged by the bride's father and brothers, and most women were married four to five times during their lifetime (117). Since the early age, families created contractual agreements and often had their children as young as two years old already engaged (121). There was no love or mutual affection in the arranged marriages, which were based on political or financial motives, leaving no voice to women (65). A woman might have lived a happy marital life for many years, but if a better deal became available, her father would terminate the current marriage and remarry her to someone else (117). The cruel societal expectation from such newly married woman was to forsake her female children from the previous marriage (65). Due to these practices, often, even women of high social status became a subject of public embarrassment and abandonment (73). Sexual promiscuity was prevalent, and it was common to have a wife of a high social status and concubines among actresses simultaneously. Occasionally, members of the royal family, such as Octavia, had a special dispensation, or permission excusing them from the mandatory contractual matrimony (117). Romans maintained gender segregation, prohibiting women to engage in the political activities, be a part of