Before growing up and getting married, Roman girls, particularly the wealthier ones were educated, often having private tutors. The source shows children learning, most likely in a scholastic environment, yet girls were traditionally expected to learn a basic education and then expected to learn and maintain domestic duties. The domestic duties would have involved music, sewing and “running” and kitchen.
Impoverished women were often expected to work in agricultural areas or were forced to become servants. Some women had the opportunities to become a hairdresser or receive a job in a shop. A few women even worked as acrobats and dancers- these occupations were obviously looked down upon, as being disreputable.
A somewhat common career was midwifery. Pregnancy and other “women’s medicine” was considered a woman’s realm- in the Roman era it was felt that women were more aware of “women’s’ problems” and there was no queries about embarrassment. However it has to be said, male gynaecologists amongst others would be consulted if the pregnancy was an unusual or difficult one. Soranus, an authority on Roman medicine, had written about the attributes a midwife would require for becoming a good midwife- this was that potential midwives should be able to read, with a good memory. She should be respectable, strong, sympathetic and fearless.
Wealthy women had the auspicious opportunity of becoming a priestess-similar to the woman in the statue shown→
The priestesses had many duties such as tending to the shrines of the Vestal Virgins. The Vestal Virgins were priestesses who served Vesta, the goddess of Earth. Training to become a Vestal began at the ages between six and ten years old, this training took ten years. The Vestal Virgins then remained for ten years, attending the sacred fire on Vesta’s altar; they then had to train the vestal students. The Vestals were considered of a very high status- this was obviously irregular for Roman women, who weren’t allowed to be held on such a high pedestal. In some religions only women or mainly women were the main worshippers. Isis, Cybele and Vesta were just some cults associated with women.
However, traditionally, women were expected to remain at home, tending to the children and organising slaves. Wealthy Roman women regularly hosted dinner parties, involving a whole day’s preparation.
Claudia Severa to her friend Lepidina, greetings. On the third day before the Ides of September, sister, I cordially invite you to be sure to come to us for the day of the celebration of my birthday; if you come the day would bring me greater pleasure because of your presence. Please give my greetings to your (husband) Cerialis. My Aelius and my little son send greetings.
Vindolanda tablet, 2nd century, AD
Above is a source showing an invite to a dinner party. A Roman wife would plan and arrange every aspect of a dinner party whilst her husband was at work. Seating arrangements, food and drink of each course were just some of the items that required to be arranged. This would then involve the slaves having to work, preparing food for the dinner party. For the wealthy Romans, particularly the elitists and politicians, a dinner party was not simply just a dinner party; it was an opportunity to persuade support for their careers etc. Although it was common for Roman women to stay at home, there were several women who were considered powerful women. These women weren’t women who simply administered households; they were women who could manage their husband’s business, at times when he was away. Politicians’ wives took an avid awareness in politics. Shown is a status of Livia, the wife of Augustus. It is uncertain on Livia’s personality as there are sources that say Livia was notorious for her underhanded, conniving schemes. On the other hand there are sources which say that Livia was a woman dedicated to her family and was close with her husband Augustus. Either way, Livia played a significant role in making important decisions. Augustus obviously placed immense trust in Livia, for when he went away on business he would leave his seal with Livia- a seal being the most significant item a wealthy person could have. Livia had been married to Tiberius Claudius Nero until Augustus had forced to divorce her. She then married Augustus, with her two previous children also residing with them. One of her sons, Tiberius Claudius Nero became the emperor Tiberius when Augustus died- it was Livia who influenced the decision and she also continued guard and assist her son until she died. In this way, Livia had a significant amount of responsibility that was given to her despite the ‘norm’ being that women had fewer roles and rights. However, although these women were considered imperative, particularly in the political world, they still made time for cosmetics, jewellery and clothes. On the right shows make up containers, similar to make up bottles that we have now. The fashion in Roman times was to have a pale complexion, which was accomplished by using powdered chalk or white lead. It was also common for them to have red lips, and dark eyebrows and lashes. For lip colour and blusher, they used red ochre made up with ash or antimony. At that time, cosmetics were not particularly developed and so could prove to be poisonous- having fatal consequences. A wealthy woman would order her slaves to put make up on her which could last hours.
The source on the right shows just some of the jewellery that Roman women may have worn. Generally all women wore jewellery- this ranged from gold and silver necklaces, bracelets and earrings- these could be adorned with precious stones and jewels. Rich men and women wore several rings, often to show their wealth and to flaunt it. Additionally clothes were also a vital method in which Romans could boast of their wealth. There were firm rules about what you could wear particularly if you were from a lower status. Slaves and foreigners were not allowed to wear a toga, and you could only have a purple toga if you were the emperor. Other political people such as the senator were allowed to wear a toga with a purple stripe. The source on the right shows an example of what a Roman woman would wear- they would wear a “stola” which was a long robe and a “palla” which was a large shawl. Underclothes consisted of a loincloth and perhaps a leather bra. The women eventually started wearing clothes made from Indian cotton or Chinese silk; two expensive fabrics that only wealthy women could afford to wear. Roman women’s clothes reflected deeply the amount of money they had, and therefore indirectly reflects on perhaps the rights and responsibilities they also had.
Overall, it is obvious to see that there were women who had great responsibility and were depended upon for significant purposes. However these actions did not go unnoticed and were often recognized.
'Stranger, my message is short. Stop and read it. This is the unlovely tomb of a lovely woman. Her parents gave her the name Claudia. She loved her husband with all her heart. She bore two children, one of whom she left on earth, the other beneath it. She had a pleasing way of talking and walking. She tended the house and worked wool. I have said my piece. Go your way.'
The above quote was from a tomb stone. Romans often expressed grief for their women; their wives, mothers, daughters and sisters. The epitaph reflects a Roman’s opinion of a good woman- it demonstrates the love for her husband and what a good mother she was. Roman women were appreciated and thus given credit for their attributes. Their achievements ranged from religion to politics- making a momentous mark in the Roman era.
