Ancient Rome

Family life was important to the Romans. Their family's were large, and included parents, young children, married children and their family, other relatives and enslaved servants. With all these people in the house, the father was in charge. The fathers were called paterfamilias, or "father of the family."

Family Life and Woman's Roles

Ancient Rome

Familys had no where to put trash, so they threw it on the street

Childbirth was very dangerous, and medical science was primative.

Paterfamilias often made sure the kids were educated, but some families were too poor to educate their children. Wealthy families would hire tutors to teach their children at home. Although, older girls never went to school. Instead they studied reading and writing at home.

A new baby was bathed and placed at it's fathers feet as a sign of acceptance

Education

Marriage

Lives of woman depended on their wealth. Even then, they had some rights, but weren't full citizens. If you were a rich woman, it was thought to be inappropriate to work a job. In ordinary homes, woman would spin and weave to make clothes. All woman were taught these skills, even if they didn't use it. Poor woman would work in markets, or as attendants. In the country, woman worked as a sheperdesses, on a farm.

Girls could mary at 12!

Working Woman

Young Romans had almost no choice in who they married. Parents chose the husband or wife. Girls could marry at 12, but often waited until 14. To celebrate an engagement, a party was held and a contract was written. The bride was given a ring, and offered her childhood toys to the gods the night before the wedding

Jobs in ancient Rome varied. Upper-classmen did not work, but had slaves. Others worked jobs like the army, politics, or financial work. Also, architecture, and medicine were worked by educated men. Others were craftsmen, or shopkeepers.

The medical science in ancient Rome was not advanced. This often led to woman dying while giving birth. Children also died often while they were very young. Some woman married because they believed childbirth was safer when they were young.

Boys became men between the ages of 14 and 16. To celebrate, they burned toys as a offering to household gods.

Typical jobs along the market streets were carpenters, metalworkers, bakers, potters, and butchers. These shops were important to the Romans. These few jobs covered food, furniture, tools, and crockery.