Women in Roman law Roman Empire
freeborn roman women considered citizens throughout republic , empire, did not vote, hold political office, or serve in military. mother s citizen status determined of children, indicated phrase ex duobus civibus romanis natos ( children born of 2 roman citizens ). roman woman kept own family name (nomen) life. children took father s name, in imperial period made mother s name part of theirs, or used instead. the archaic form of manus marriage in woman had been subject husband s authority largely abandoned imperial era, , married woman retained ownership of property brought marriage. technically remained under father s legal authority, though moved husband s home, when father died became legally emancipated. arrangement 1 of factors in degree of independence roman women enjoyed relative of many other ancient cultures , modern period: although had answer father in legal matters, free of direct scrutiny in daily life, , husband had no legal power on her. although point of pride one-man ...