Donna e società: spose e madri a Roma

Abstract

W artykule zawarto charakterystykê pozycji kobiety w starozytnym Rzymie. Po zaslubinach, które przybieraly formê umów pomiêdzy rodzicami, kobieta wchodzila do rodziny mêza i podlegala jego wladzy. Mater familias zarzadzala gospodarstwem domowym i czuwala nad wlasciwym wychowaniem dzieci, zas w zyciu spolecznym uczestniczyla jedynie przez osobê mêza lub wspólnie z nim. W czasie Republiki kobiety osiagnêly pewien poziom niezaleznosci i wolnosci, a po jej upadku nadal braly aktywny udzial w wydarzeniach spolecznych dziêki starannie zdobytemu wyksztalceniu. Autor podkresla, ze kwestie zwiazane z macierzyñstwem byly transcendentalnym wydarzeniem dla kobiety. Artykul odnosi siê takze do pozycji kobiet z nizszych sfer (prostytutek, niewolnic, kobiet pracujacych fizycznie).

The article examines the situation of women in Ancient Rome. After the marriage, which following the custom had been arranged previously by the couple’s parents, the woman entered the family of her husband and was under his authority. The mater familias managed the household and was responsible for the proper upbringing of the children. She also participated in social life by entertaining her husband’s guests. During the Republic, women reached a certain level of independence and freedom, and after its fall they continued to be actively involved in social events, in many cases benefiting from an education geared towards their playing such a role later on in life. The author emphasizes that the issue of motherhood was a transcendental event for women and also discusses the position of women in the lower classes (prostitutes, slaves and working women).