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The Republic: Roman Father Absolute Power

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Great points! But did you know that originally, the Republic, gave a Roman father absolute power over his children of both sexes, not to mention his grandchildren and further descendants. A father also had the right to kill his children. He could also sell them into slavery and any property they acquired legally during their lives belonged to him. Adult sons did have some rights, they could vote and hold public office the son could marry but only with his father’s consent.
If a person committed a crime against another person, such as theft or assault, then the victim could take legal action against the father, not the actual perpetrator. The father would be obliged to either pay damages, or sell his child to the victim as a slave in compensation.

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