# The Romans — The Subjection of Women character guide

> The Romans in The Subjection of Women by John Stuart Mill.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** The Romans, their

**First appearance:** 0001-ii

## Who they are

Ancient Roman society referenced for its legal treatment of women.

## Relationships

### [Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_subjection_of_women_se/characters/narrator)

_social_

The narrator frequently references Roman law and society as a historical benchmark for the subjection of women.

### [Her Master](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_subjection_of_women_se/characters/her_master)

_social_

Her Master is often discussed in relation to Roman legal and social structures that defined male authority.

### [The Greeks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_subjection_of_women_se/characters/the_greeks)

_social_

Greek and Roman societies are compared as parallel patriarchal systems influencing women's status.

### [The English](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_subjection_of_women_se/characters/the_english)

_social_

English laws and customs are shown to be directly influenced by Roman legal principles regarding women.

### [The Judge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_subjection_of_women_se/characters/the_judge)

_social_

The Judge's rulings are grounded in Roman legal precedents that enforce women's dependency.

### [Christianity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_subjection_of_women_se/characters/christianity)

_social_

Christianity is discussed in relation to Roman law as two intertwined influences on women's status.

## In the story

### [Chapter II: The Marriage Contract and Legal Subordination](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_subjection_of_women_se/chapters/ii)

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

### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_subjection_of_women_se/chapters/iii)

Referenced in the context of historical examples of women rulers.

### [Chapter IV: The Benefits of Equality and the Influence of Women](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_subjection_of_women_se/chapters/iv)

Not directly mentioned in this chapter; omitted from active check-in.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_subjection_of_women_se/characters/the_romans
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_subjection_of_women_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_subjection_of_women_se/characters