Bona matrona: The Meaning of Example in Constructing the Image of the Ideal Roman Woman Cover Image
  • Price 4.50 €

„Bona matrona”. O znaczeniu przykładu w konstruowaniu wizerunku idealnej Rzymianki
Bona matrona: The Meaning of Example in Constructing the Image of the Ideal Roman Woman

Author(s): Danuta Musiał
Subject(s): Philosophy, Social Sciences, Philosophical Traditions, Social Philosophy, Special Branches of Philosophy, Sociology
Published by: Katolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski Jana Pawła II - Instytut Jana Pawła II, Wydział Filozofii
Keywords: ancient Rome; Roman women; mos maiorum; Livy’s exempla; maiestas matronarum; pudicitia

Summary/Abstract: Private and political life in ancient Rome was regulated by a set of values and standards of conduct called the custom of ancestors (mos maiorum). The knowledge we have of it is derived from examples of mythical and historical past of Rome, coming primarily from the works of historians, above all from the History of Rome by Livy. In his stories of the Sabine women, Lucretia, Veturia, and Vergina, the Roman historian sketches portraits of women which can be considered as depicting the ideal matron. In his opinion, a bona matrona in order to enjoy the rightful position of her authority, needs to be described as pudica, casta, sancta, univira, and lanifica. She also needs to wear the stola. However, the set of values described by Liy was independent of the real position of women in families and in the society, which is confi rmed by epitaphs.

  • Issue Year: 29/2016
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 129-141
  • Page Count: 13
  • Language: Polish