Patriarchy, Property and Death in the Roman Family

by Richard P. Saller and Saller, Richard P. Saller, Richard P.

Book Overview

The figure of the Roman father has traditionally provided the pattern of patriarchy in European thought. This book shows how the social realities and cultural representations diverged from this paradigm. Demographic analysis and computer simulation demonstrate that before adulthood most Romans lost their fathers by death. Close reading of Latin texts reveals Roman fathers as devoted and loving and not harsh exploitative masters of slaves. The demographic...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B00E32QNRU
• ISBN13: 9780521599788
• Release Date: November 1996
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Length: 268 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

a good attempt

Saller sometimes seems more a sociologist than a historian and this book is no exception. These articles exam a wide range of subjects which may interest historians and laypeople studying the family, law, or even sexuality in the ancient world. Very worth reading but not for the uninformed reader I'm afraid.