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1. CopyrightbyTheMcGraw-HillCompanies.
NAME DATE CLASS
Roman Civilization
Primary Source Activity
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law should be repealed, or canceled.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.
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 any―not even private―business
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I vote that the Oppian law should not, in the smallest measure, be repealed;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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2. CopyrightbyTheMcGraw-HillCompanies.
NAME DATE CLASS
Roman Civilization
Primary Source Activity Cont.
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?
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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3. CopyrightbyTheMcGraw-HillCompanies.
NAME DATE CLASS
Roman Civilization
Primary Source Activity Cont.
4. Explaining Why does Lucius Valerius believe women
deserve to wear expensive clothes?
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?
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