What were the family structures in ancient Rome?

Question

Ex. nuclear, extended, etc. Pls be detailed in explaining... thanks!

Answer 1

("Early Years" - Up to 1 AD) - if you go to the site listed in sources it will explain family life through the different time frames of Roman history.)

"Everybody in one family lived in one home, including the great grandparents, grandparents, parents and children. The head of the family was the oldest male. That could be the father, the grandfather, or perhaps even an uncle.

Each family had slightly different customs and rules, because the head of the family had the power to decide what those rules were for his family. He owned the property, and had total authority, the power of life and death, over every member of his household. Even when his children became adults, he was still the boss.

But, he was also responsible for the actions of any member of his household. He could order a kid or a grown-up out of his house, but if they committed a crime, he might be punished for something his family did.

In poor families, the head of the house might decide to put a sick baby out to die or to sell grown-ups in his family into slavery, because there wasn't enough food to feed everyone.

A women had no authority. Her job was to take care of the house and to have children."

Answer 2

They were very similar to what you would know today ... the families stuck together as a unit, and they had a moderate amount of contact with extended family (cousins, aunts and uncles, etc.). Of course the question is always where and when specifically are you talking about? Time and place is everything in history, but generally, in ancient Rome, there would be no significant differences to what you know today.

Answer 3

Family much like today yes,but remember households with money also had slaves.Some of the slaves were considered more loyal than blood relatives and freed at their masters death.