Which male duty was seen as the most virtuous in Roman society?
A.
owning all of the family's property
B.
selling any children that were seen as unfit into slavery
C.
continuing the family name through sons
D.
allowing their wives to participate in government
C. continuing the family name through sons.
The most virtuous duty for a male in Roman society was C. continuing the family name through sons.
To find the answer, one can look into the cultural and social norms of Roman society during the time. Understanding the values and expectations placed on men in Roman society can reveal which duties were considered virtuous.
In Roman culture, the family name and lineage held immense importance. It was believed that the lineage of a family should be preserved and continued through generations. This meant that having sons to carry on the family name was seen as a significant duty and virtuous act for males. It ensured the continuity of the family lineage and legacy, which was highly valued.
On the other hand, options A, B, and D were not generally regarded as the most virtuous duties for males in Roman society. Owning all of the family's property could be seen as a privilege or responsibility, but it was not necessarily regarded as the ultimate virtue. Selling children into slavery due to being seen as unfit was not a common practice and was not considered a virtuous act. Allowing wives to participate in government was not a prominent aspect of Roman society, as political power and participation were primarily reserved for men.
Therefore, by understanding the cultural values and norms of Roman society, we can determine that continuing the family name through sons was considered the most virtuous male duty in Roman society.