The Role of the Family in Roman Society

A Roman Wedding (ca. 160 C.E.)

The family was at the heart of the Roman social and political organization. Families were part of tribes, which were represented in the Tribal Assembly (comitia tributa), which held elections for political office. Choice of marriage partners was, therefore, not personal, but a way for families to advance their political status or business relationships. A wife was subject to her husband or her father (depending on the specific form of the marriage agreement) throughout her life. She could inherit property, which usually was part of the dowry she received when she married. The image below is from a Roman wedding. The groom holds his wife with one hand and the marriage contract in another. The woman behind them is the matron of honor and the man beside the groom is a witness.

The Trustees of the British Museum/Art Resource, N.Y.