Roman Culture

• What was Virtus?


  Courage or manliness, defining concept of the Roman man
• What was the Paterfamilias?


  Head of the household, oldest male. He wielded a power known as the patria potestas (power of the father) which gave him power over his nuclear and extended family
• What was pudicitia?


  Chastity or sexual modesty, ideal quality of Roman women especially those from the upper classes
• What was an Infamis?


  An Infamis was a person in ancient Rome who had lost their legal and social standing due to their profession
• What were the qualities of an ideal Roman woman?


  One who was frugal, capable of managing slaves and helping her husband
• Who was Livia?


  Augustus's wife
• What was Livia known for?


  Aiding and advising her husband
• How did Roman women differ from Greek women?


  They counted as citizens and had full legal rights
• What would happen if a man died without male heirs?


  His wife would take on a similar role to the paterfamilias
• Did the Romans practice pederasty?


  No
• What was patronage?


  It was the Roman version of pederasty without the sexual aspect of it nor was it restricted by age
• Could Roman men have sex with infames?


  Only as long as the man took the dominant role. If the free born man took the passive role he could risk losing his legal status
• What were the Roman views on female homosexuality?


  They weren't concerned
• What were the two types of Roman marriage?


  Cum manu and Sine manu
• What was a cum manu marriage?


  Was when the husband had all the power over his wife
• What was a sine manu marriage?


  When a woman's father wielded more power her over her than her husband
• What were the main purposes of a Roman marriage?


  The production of legitimate heirs and political alliance
• Why was divorce difficult for Roman women?


  The man was allowed custody of children
• What was the Roman punishment for adultery?


  Both parties would be exiled to separate islands with their property was confiscated
• What happened to soldiers of equal status who engaged in same-sex activities?


  It was punishable by death
• What did the Lex Scantinia achieve?


  It became a capital crime for one free-born to rape another. This did not apply to slaves
• What was a Puer delicatus?


  Sweet/dainty boy, was often used to mean child slaves