"[T]he position of the Roman matron was quite different from that of the Greek
matron in the time of Pericles. The Roman matron was mistress in her own
household. As the husband took charge of all external transactions, so the wife was
supreme in household arrangements."
-James Donaldson, Woman; Her Position and Influence in Ancient Greece and
Rome
Based on your knowledge of the role of women in the Roman republic, provide evidence
to prove the author's claim that the position of Roman women was different from that of
Greek women.
One piece of evidence that supports the claim that Roman women had a different position than Greek women is the fact that Roman women had more legal rights and autonomy within the household. Roman women could own property, inherit wealth, and make legal agreements. In contrast, Greek women had limited legal rights and were largely dependent on their male relatives for financial and legal matters.
Additionally, Roman women played a more active role in the public sphere compared to Greek women. Roman women could attend public events, participate in religious ceremonies, and even own businesses. Greek women, on the other hand, were largely confined to the domestic sphere and were expected to focus on managing the household and raising children.
Furthermore, Roman women had more freedom when it came to social interactions. They were allowed to socialize with men outside of their families and could attend social gatherings and banquets. In Greek society, women were often expected to remain secluded and were not allowed to mingle with men who were not their relatives.
Overall, the evidence suggests that Roman women had more autonomy, legal rights, and social freedoms compared to Greek women, supporting the author's claim that the position of Roman women was different from that of Greek women.