Mothers Family in Ancient Rome

domitia lucilla minor, mother of marcus aurelius

a woman in ancient rome under social expectation become wife , mother. despite importance of mother in family structure bearer of children, had no legal control on children. examples of mother-child relationships in ancient sources, if discussed @ all, focus on describing idealized roman matrona. roman matrona strong, virtuous woman dedicated political advancement of family. marcus aurelius provides rare insight affectionate relationship between mother , son in letter describing afternoon spent mother playfully arguing , gossiping. lack of literary discussion may have resulted because many children never knew mothers, died in childbirth. case young children had more contact wet nurse or pedagogue mother.