Introduction
Women’s rights in Ancient Rome were drastically different from what we recognize today. Throughout the Roman Republic and the later Roman Empire, there were changes in policy that ultimately resulted in a much more equitable society for women in the ancient world. Understanding how and why these changes came about is important in illuminating the unique discovery of these rights that would otherwise remain hidden in history.
Background Information
Despite modern conceptions of women’s rights in Ancient Rome, women could not own or inherit property, could not vote, or become citizens in the same way that men could. They were permitted to work and some women had their own businesses, but a woman never had full control over her finances or independence. Women during this time were not even allowed to testify in court.
Policies under the Republic
Under the Roman Republic, women were largely regarded as being inferior to men. While they were legally allowed to own property, this did not mean that they could purchase or sell land without the permission of their guardian, usually a male relative, who would be the formal owner of the property.Rome had a patrilineal system, meaning that when a woman got married, she legally transferred her citizenship to her husband and could not control inheritance.
The Impact of Augustus
One of the biggest changes in Ancient Rome was the impact of Octavian, more commonly known as Augustus, who served as the first Roman Emperor. Augustus was an advocate of building a more equitable society and was in favour of giving women more legal autonomy, especially in financial matters. Under his rule, women were granted greater power over their property, including the right to purchase, sell and dispose of land. Augustus also placed restrictions on the use of marriage as a way to avoid inheritance and to protect women’s financial status.
The Expansion of Women’s Rights
The policy changes by Augustus had a ripple effect in Ancient Rome. His successors continued to implement policies that expanded women’s rights in the legal system, including allowing women to testify in court, and allowing them to possess more financial freedom. Roman jurists such as Ulpian, Gaius and Papinian also proposed reforms in inheritance, guardianship and taxation that further benefited women.
The Decline of Women’s Rights
Unfortunately, these advances in women’s rights were not permanent. Over the course of the decline of the Roman Empire, the status of women began to decline. As Roman law became less influence, Christian law began to take over, and with it a more conservative view of women and their place in society. This shift in attitude meant that the gains made by women during the Roman Republic and Empire were slowly eroded, and by the time of the collapse of the Empire, women had less autonomy than they had during earlier eras.
Advances in Education
There were some advances in women’s rights during the Roman period, particularly in the area of education. Women were granted access to a wider variety of educational opportunities than ever before, and their participation in the literary world increased. Women began to take part in debates and public discussions, which was previously unheard of. This marked a turning point in the way women were viewed in society and laid the groundwork for much of the progress in women’s rights that we enjoy today.
Economic Opportunities
While women were not given equal opportunities to men in the work force, some were given access to certain jobs that had not previously been available. Women could own and manage businesses, and some were even able to serve as judges. This opened up new horizons for women, allowing them to gain economic independence in ways that were not previously possible.
Impact of the Law
The law was an important factor in the rise of women’s rights in Ancient Rome. Laws that protected women from abuse, unwanted marriages, and other injustices laid the groundwork for the modern understanding of women’s rights that we have today. While there were still limits to what women were allowed to do, laws that gave women access to more rights in terms of marriage, property ownership, and education opened the door for further advances in women’s rights.
Conclusion
The Ancient Romans had a surprisingly progressive view of women’s rights compared to their contemporaries. Through changes in policy by Emperors such as Augustus, women began to gain access to greater autonomy in the legal and economic systems. This was further cemented by advances in education and the expansion of the law, leading to a greater recognition of the rights that women have today.
