The Subjection of Women · Character

The Romans

Ancient Roman society referenced for its legal treatment of women.

minor

Also known as The Romans, their

First appearance: Chapter II: The Marriage Contract and Legal Subordination

The Romans's tie to Narrator is one of the pressures that moves The Subjection of Women—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

Roman law is cited as allowing slaves a peculium, contrasting with the wife's worse position under English common law.

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With Narrator (social): The narrator frequently references Roman law and society as a historical benchmark for the subjection of women. With Her Master (social): Her Master is often discussed in relation to Roman legal…

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The fuller portrait of The Romans sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See The Romans in Chapter II: The Marriage Contract and Legal Subordination

Character Web

7 connections

A slice of how The Romans sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Social
Other

Character groups

Historical and Religious Authorities
Protagonist

+2 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Breaking point

The emotional and psychological peak occurs when the narrator reveals the unexpected, empirical discovery that…

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Relationships

Narrator
social · ambivalent
The narrator frequently references Roman law and society as a historical benchmark for… How this plays out →
Her Master
social · ambivalent
The Greeks
social · ambivalent
The English
social · ambivalent
The Judge
social · ambivalent
Christianity
social · ambivalent

Narrator
The narrator frequently references Roman law and society as a historical benchmark for the subjection of women.
Her Master
Her Master is often discussed in relation to Roman legal and social structures that defined male authority.
The Greeks
Greek and Roman societies are compared as parallel patriarchal systems influencing women's status.
The English
English laws and customs are shown to be directly influenced by Roman legal principles regarding women.
The Judge
The Judge's rulings are grounded in Roman legal precedents that enforce women's dependency.
Christianity
Christianity is discussed in relation to Roman law as two intertwined influences on women's status.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See The Romans in Chapter II: The Marriage Contract and Legal Subordination

In the story

The Romans appears across 3 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for The Romans unlock in the free preview.

See The Romans in Chapter II: The Marriage Contract and Legal Subordination