The Family in ancient Rome - Beryl Rawson

Little has been published on the Roman family, a subject of central importance to political as well as social history. It was the family that determined political power; it was within the family that the distinctive relationships of one citizen to another were forged and exemplified. "The Family in Ancient Rome" provides an overview of the state of research by presenting some of the most important work being done in this area. Besides surveying the literature on all aspects of the Roman family, the book begins with a general picture of the main features of the family. More specialized studies deal with the legal evidence, wills and property rights which were of particular importance for the position of women; the link between property and disposition, dowry and divorce; the authority of the male head of the household and its links with political power; the relationships within unions of persons of different status (eg. slave and free) and the effect on children; and with the rearing of, and attitudes to children.