How were noble women in ancient rome buried?

Question

what were their rights? roles? who were they ? life events? domestic roles? decions they made? influence roman policy ?

Answer 1

Noble roman women were buried in tombs like nobel roman men.  The tombs carried inscritions praising the women for their virtues.  One such inscription, to a woman called Menophila, reads:

"This stone marks a woman of accomplishment and beauty.  Who she is the Muses' inscription reveal: Menophila.  Why she is honoured is shown by a carved lily and an alpha, a book and a basekt, and with these a wreath.  the book shows that you were wise, the wreath that you wore on your head shows that you were a leader, the letter lapha that you were an only child, the basket is a sign of your orderly excellence: the flower shows the prime of your life. which Fate stole away.  May the dust lie light on you in death.  Alas; your parents are childless, to them you have left tears."

The most admired woman in Republican history was Cornelia, the mother of the Gracci, who was praised for her virtue, fidelity, and not least, her intelligence.  She was famous for having said, when asked why she wore no jewellery, that her children were her jewels.

Most roman women were married off quite young, in their early teens.  A Roman woman was under the guardianship of the pater familias (male head of the family) who would most usually be her father, or if not the next male relative, perhaps an uncle or older brother.  The pater familias had absolute authority over his family, wife, children of both sexes, and slaves.  He could even put them to death if he chose, though this was an extremely rare occurence.  When a roman woman married, she remained under the authority of the pater familias, unless she had a marriage with manus, in which case she could be passed to the authority of her husband.  

In the 1st century AD, the emperor Augustus, who was worried about the falling birth rate, passed a law saying that a free woman who bore three children, or a freedwoman who bore four, was exempt from male guardianship altogether.

Divorce was easy to obtain and could be instigated by either party , though it was usually in the hands of men.  A law was passed in the 2nd century AD which made it illegal for fathers to make their children divorce against their will.  After a divroce, the children stayed with the father.  The wife's dowry would be returned to her, unless she had been divorced for adultery, in which case her husband could keep a portion of the dowry.

roman wives were expected to manage their households and supervise the slaves, unlike Greek women, noble roman women were not expected to spend their time spinning and weaving, that was left to the slaves.  Roman women could move freely in Roman society, unlike Greek women who werer gnerally expected to keep to the women's quarters and not go out much except to participate in religious festivals.

romen women could own and inherit property, though the amount they could inherit was restricted by law.  In spite of restrictions though,a lot of roman wealth did manage to find its way into female hands.  

Roman girls of the upper classes were often educated at home by tutors like their brothers, though their education finshed earlier, when they married.  It was thought desirable that both parents be well educated, as it would have a good influence on the children.  Pliny the younger praised his wife for memorising his works, and for setting his verse to music.

Roman women did not have any official part in political life, though they could sometimes be influential in public policy.  for instance, in the 2nc century BC, aftter a disastrous defeat by Hannibal, a law called the Oppian law was passed, forbidding women from wearing jewellery and luxurious items.  This was naturally very unpopular, and twenty years later, women rebelled against it and demanded that the law be repealed.  They filled the streets of Rome. Livy wrote:

"The matrons, whom neither counsel nor shame nor their husbands' orders could keep at home, blockaded every street in the city and every entrance to the Forum.  As the men came down to the Forum, the matrons besought them to let them, too have back the luxuries that they had enjoyed before, giving as thei reason that the republic was thriving and that everyone's private wealth was increasing with every day.  This crowd of women was growing daily, for now they were even gathering from the towns and villages.  Before long they dared to go up and solicit the consuls, praetors, and other magistrates."

Despite eloquent objections from some senators, the unpopular laws was repealed.

In 42 BC, when the triumvirate proposed to tax the 1,400 wealthiest women in the city, a woman called Hortensia made an eloquent speech protesting the tax.

"Why should we pay taxes when we have no part in public office, or honours or commands or government in general, an evil you have fought over with such disastrous results?  Because, you say, this is a time of war?  and when has there not been war?  And when have women paid taxes?  by nature of their s*x women are absolved from paying taxes among all mankind....We did not pay taxes to Caesar or Pompey, nor did Marius ask us for contributions, nor Cinn nor sulla, even though he was a tyrant over this country.  and you say that youa re re-establishing the republic!"

As a result of this speech, the number of women to be taxed was reduced considerably.

Although women did not vote in elections, graffiti from Pomepii shows that they did take an interest in elections, and often asked people to support certain candidates:

"Caprisia along with Nymphius - her neighbours too - ask you to vote for Aulus Vetisu Firums for the aedileship, he is worthy of the office.

Statia and Petronia ask you to vote for marcus Casellius and Lucius Alfrucius for aediles.  May our colony always have such citizens!"

Answer 2

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