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Women in the Roman World

Women in the Roman World. “ We have courtesans for pleasure, handmaidens for the day-to-day care of the body, wives to bear legitimate children and to be a trusted guardian of things in the house.” - Demosthenes ( 384 – 322BC)

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Women in the Roman World

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  1. Women in the Roman World “We have courtesans for pleasure, handmaidens for the day-to-day care of the body, wives to bear legitimate children and to be a trusted guardian of things in the house.” - Demosthenes (384 – 322BC) “Never, while their men survive, is feminine subjection shaken off; and they themselves abhor the freedom that the loss of husbands and fathers produces.” - Livy (c. 59BC – AD17)

  2. Women in the Roman World 1. While not kept in seclusion their realm was definitely the home a. Separate women’s quarters in homes were off limits to men, which was primarily meant to protect the legitimacy of children b. Governed the home in the absence of their husband i This occurred a lot as influential husbands traveled ii Many women exercised great influence in this manner

  3. Women in the Roman World 2. Progress of ancient women a. Athenian women were lowest in status b. Macedonian women increased the status of women c. Roman women gained even more status d. The wealth of some Roman women often allowed them to become patrons and exercise great influence i They frequently held civic offices ii Often served as priestesses iii Were physicians, artists, musicians, athletes iv Participated in sales, manufacturing and commercial activities

  4. Women in the Roman World 3. Jewish Women a. Not as restricted in public appearance Lower legal status than Roman women ----- Women were exempt from various religious obligations due to ritual impurity and child care, and therefore we read… “Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, who has not made me a woman…” - Jewish prayer book

  5. Women in the Roman World d. Roles of Jewish Men and Women i Wife o Meal preparation o Spinning of wool o Maintaining the home o Maintaining an attractive appearance o Influence on family greater than her husband’s ii Husband o Provide food and clothing o Maintain regular sexual relations (1 Cor. 7:5) o Provide for the children o Forbidden to strike his wife

  6. Children in the Roman World 1. Child Mortality and Exposure a. There was a high mortality rate among infants b. Unwanted babies were exposed i Child’s life began when the father acknowledged it in a religious ceremony ii Too many mouths to feed iii First child seldom exposed iv Girls exposed more than boys o Girls meant an eventual dowry o Boys meant an eventual soldier

  7. Children in the Roman World 2. Maturity a. Adolescence thought to bring about ability to reason b. A girl reached adulthood when married c. A boy reached adulthood when registered as a citizen at 17

  8. ECONOMIC LIFE

  9. Trade and Travel in the Roman World 1. Travel by Sea a. Fairly inexpensive b. Rooms were only for crew or very wealthy c. Sailed from port to port and primarily during the day d. Shipping stopped for winter e. Only large grain ships from Egypt ventured into the open sea f. Little risk of piracy under the empire

  10. Trade and Travel in the Roman World 2. Travel by Land a. Roman Roads i Primarily built to speed the movement of military troops ii Some Roman roads and bridges are still in use today! iii Roman roads in the New Testament oVia Appiatraveled by Paul on his way to Rome from Puteoli oVia Egnatiatraveled by Paul from Neapolis to Thessalonica b. Accommodations i Inns were filthy and corrupt, usually brothels ii Hospitality was thus a great value

  11. Trade and Travel in the Roman World

  12. Trade and Travel in the Roman World

  13. Alcantara, Spain Trade and Travel in the Roman World

  14. Trade and Travel in the Roman World Trade Routes that were significant in the New Testament

  15. Trade and Travel in the Roman World B. Coinage BRONZE SILVER GOLD

  16. Trade and Travel in the Roman World C. Taxation 1. Taxation and Census (Luke 2:1) 2. Types of Taxes (Tributa) a. Tributum Soli on agricultural produce b. TributumCapitis on other forms of property i Matthew 17:25 and 22:19

  17. Trade and Travel in the Roman World C. Taxation c. Vectigalia (telos in Matthew 17:25) indirect taxes iPortoria or “frontier dues” most important ii Solely for revenue, not to control production or trade iii Collection of these were contracted out to publicani o A certain sum was agreed to go to the government o Amounts above sum were profit for the collector o This system encouraged corruption (Imagine that!)

  18. Trade and Travel in the Roman World 3. Tax Collectors or Publicans a. Publicani were Romans from the equestrian (knight) class b. The contemptuous attitude toward tax collectors was not due so much to financial extortion as to the perception of aiding the enemy c. The “tax collectors” in the gospels were not publicani iZaccheus and Matthew likely collected taxes on the trade routes through Jericho and Galilee respectively ii Both were likely under the employment of Herod Antipas

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