Daily Life of Women in Ancient Rome

This book provides an invaluable introduction to the social, economic, and legal status of women in ancient Rome.

Daily Life of Women in Ancient Rome is an invaluable introduction to the lives of women in the late Roman Republic and first three centuries of the Roman Empire. Arranged chronologically and thematically, it examines how Roman women were born, educated, married, and active in economic, social, public, and religious life, as well as how they were commemorated and honored after death. Though they were excluded from formal public and military offices, wealthy Roman women participated in public life as benefactors and in religious life as priestesses. The book also acknowledges the status and occupations of women taking part in public life as textile producers, retail workers, and agricultural laborers, as well as enslaved women.

The book provides a thorough introduction to the social history of women in the Roman world and gives students and aspiring scholars references to current scholarship and to primary literary and documentary sources, including collected sources in translation.

Provides students of classical or women’s history with a chronologically and thematically oriented introduction to the demography, legal and social status, life stages, social and public roles, occupations, and leisure activities of women in Roman society

Emphasizes primary literary and documentary sources and provides accessible references to further reading and research

Focuses on the diversity of Roman women’s experiences across the social hierarchy

Discusses both the limitations that women faced (e.g., in Roman law and custom) and how they negotiated or transcended these limitations

Includes visually interesting images that enhance the text