Erin McGarrityDr. NimchukHIS 2806 May 2014Why did women's roles in the family take the form they did in different societies? In both modern Greece and Rome, women's respective roles in the family have made great strides. However, to fully understand the breadth of development that women's roles in the family have undergone, it is necessary to examine closely the specific reasons why these roles have taken the form they have in their particular societies. Multiple factors shaped the role of women in the family in both of these civilizations, and much of the reduction in women's freedom outside the home stems from the fundamental and widespread principle of male supremacy in all areas of life, including the social sphere and private families. . of the non-elite members of society. This popular practice of patriarchy was extremely dominant in the social arena of both societies and, on the other hand, women's power and status were often downplayed and put on the back burner in terms of social foundations. While both Ancient Greek and Roman women were certainly crucial in various aspects of life outside the family, even those not belonging to royal families, continued to remain inferior to their male partners and less instrumental overall in making important decisions family members. Three of the major factors and belief systems that shaped women's roles in the family in both ancient Rome and ancient Greece were those of law, marriage, and motherhood. One of the principles that played an important role in shaping the role of women in ancient Roman society was that of patria potestas, or “the power exercised by the father as head of the family (familia)”. A family in ancient Rome was considered...... to be at the center of fundamental freedoms in marriage, and depriving them of any degree of personhood once they had children contributed to this society's widely accepted understanding that women should always remain inferior to their husbands. In general, patriarchy was the most critical structure in the social atmosphere of both ancient Rome and ancient Greece, but the main difference between the two societies lies in the leniency and degree of autonomy granted to women. Beyond any shadow of a doubt, women were generally overlooked and underrecognized for their significance within the social and family structures of their respective regions, and were intentionally disconnected from public life. However, ancient Rome demonstrates much more progressive perspectives on women's roles in the family than the much more restrictive customs of ancient Greece.