Primary Source Activity Copy rrigh - World History

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Primary Source Activity

Roman Civilization

netw rks

Lesson 1 The Roman Way of Life

Women in Protest

Many Roman men were killed during the Carthaginian wars that began in 202 B.C. It is believed that wives and daughters often inherited the men's land and money. However, the Roman government wanted this wealth to pay for the wars. To gain control of this wealth, Roman leaders passed the Oppian law. The Oppian law limited how much gold women could own. If a woman's inheritance exceeded this amount, Rome acquired it. The Oppian law also required women to deposit their money with the state. This allowed the state to use the women's wealth whenever it wanted. The Oppian law even made it illegal for women to wear purple clothing, since purple represented wealth.

The Carthaginian wars ended. Twenty years later, the Oppian law was still enforced. Roman government leaders disagreed about the law. Some supported it. Others believed the Oppian law should be repealed, or canceled. Livy, a Roman historian, described how women protested in the streets of Rome to try to get their wealth restored.

Copyright by The McGraw-Hill Companies.

Directions Read the following opinions that debate whether

the Oppian Law should be continued.

Reading 1 For the Oppian Law Marcus Porcius Cato, also known as Cato the Elder, spoke in support of the Oppian law.

Our ancestors did not want women to conduct anynot even privatebusiness without a guardian; they wanted them to be under the authority of parents, brothers, or husbands; we (the gods help us!) even now let them snatch at the government and meddle in the Forum and our assemblies. . . . If they are victorious now, what will they not attempt? . . . As soon as they begin to be your equals, they will have become your superiors. . . . [O]nce the law no longer limits your wife's spending, you will never do it by yourself. . . . I vote that the Oppian law should not, in the smallest measure, be repealed; whatever course you take, may all the gods make you happy with it.

~Marcus Porcius Cato, 195 B.C.

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Primary Source Activity Cont.

Roman Civilization

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netw rks

Reading 2 Against the Law Lucius Valerius was a tribune, an official protector of the people. To encourage ending the Oppian law, he described how women had helped Rome during the wars.

When Rome was in the hands of the Gauls, who ransomed [rescued] it? Indeed the matrons [older women] agreed unanimously to turn their gold over to the public need. Not to go too far back in history, in the most recent war, when we needed funds, did not the widows' money assist the treasury? . . .

They cannot partake of magistracies, priesthoods, triumphs, badges of office, gifts, or spoils of war; elegance, finery, and beautiful clothes are women's badges, in these they find joy and take pride, this our forebears called the women's world. . . . They prefer their adornment to be subject to your judgment, not the law's; and you ought to hold them in marital power and guardianship, not slavery; you should prefer to be called fathers and husbands to masters.

~Lucius Valerius, 195 B.C.

Analyzing Primary Sources Directions Answer the following questions.

1. Identifying Who does Cato believe should have authority over women?

Copyright by The McGraw-Hill Companies.

2. Identifying Point of View What does Cato think of women's protests to cancel the law?

3. Describing According to the second reading, how did women help Rome during its wars?

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Primary Source Activity Cont.

Roman Civilization

4. Explaining Why does Lucius Valerius believe women deserve to wear expensive clothes?

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Critical Thinking

5. Contrasting Contrast the views of Cato and Lucius Valerius about the role of women. According to each man, how might women respond if the Oppian law is kept or repealed?

Copyright by The McGraw-Hill Companies.

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