in which families function. Although there are still many differences in families in

various cultures, cultures from the past tend to differ greatly in many areas from

that of the families of today. A vastly different culture from the one that most people

know today, is that of the Ancient Roman era. These families differ from those of

today in the areas of family structure, family cycle which includes mate selection,

marriage institution, family member roles, child rearing, and later life, family

In early roman times, before the Punic Wars, the Roman family was patrilineal,

patrilocal, and patriarchal. This meant that only relatives on the father’s side of the

family were important for emotional ties or for transfer of property of wealth. Also,

the family would be located near the husband’s family, and essentially, the family

was organized in a fashion in which men wielded power and were the decision

The Roman household or familia, was regarded by the early Romans as the

most important and sacred of all human institutions, and included all per

Some topics in this essay:
Wars Roman, Ancient Rome, Romans Sons, Gaius Gaia, Ancient Roman, , bride groom, ancient romans, roman family, religious rites led, wives sons, mate selection, religious rites, day child, marriage called, nuptiae matrimonium, family structure,