The amicitia networks of roman women and their political relevance
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26876/uztaro5166Keywords:
smicitia , matronae, Political participation, Ancient RomeAbstract
Law and tradition forbade Roman women to serve as magistrates or to vote in any political assembly. Nevertheless, that prohibition did not bar them completely from political decision-making and, instead, pushed them to find alternative forms to organize themselves. Throughout the centuries, we may find, indeed, many public protests carried out by Roman women. However, their more usual way to influence politics seems to have been through the use of female amicitia networks, which were organized around private homes. In this article we will explore the functioning of those networks, pointing out the similarities and differences with the patronage system. We will also analyse the criticism of some ancient authors against the political participation of women, and we will argue that female amictia networks were largely seen as an acceptable (and even convenient) form for women to intervene.
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