Women in ancient Rome
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In ancient Rome, freeborn women were citizens, but could not vote or hold political office. Because of their limited public role, women are named less frequently than men by Roman historians. But whil
The educated and well-traveled Vibia Sabina (c. 136 AD) was a grand-niece of the emperor Trajan and became the wife of his successor Hadrian.
Roman girls playing a game
Bronze statuette of the 1st century depicting a girl reading
Bust of a Roman girl, early 3rd century
Sexuality in ancient Rome
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Sexual attitudes and behaviors in ancient Rome are indicated by art, literature, and inscriptions, and to a lesser extent by archaeological remains such as erotic artifacts and architecture. It has so
Women in ancient Rome
…actress, dancer or acrobat, prostitute, and midwife—not all of equal respectability. Prostitutes and performers such as actresses were stigmatized as infames, people who had recourse to few legal protections even if they were free. Inscriptions indicate that a woman who was a wet nurse (nutrix) would be quite…
Satyr and nymph, mythological symbols of sexuality for their respective sexes, on a mosaic from a bedroom in Pompeii.
Romantic scene from a mosaic (Villa at Centocelle, Rome, 20 BC–20 AD)
Erotic art in its architectural context at the House of the Centenary, Pompeii
Detail of the painting