Scholars Day: April 15, 2009

Proof of Love Predominantly Through Death in Ancient Rome

In Daily Life in Ancient Rome, Florence Dupont argues that ancient Romans found marriage irritating, loveless, and only advantageous for political and reproductive reasons. Dupont’s failure to discuss the limitation of her sources as pertaining to elite Romans is problematic, as feelings about marriage among all Romans were probably not the same. Other sources, however, challenge this perspective on Roman marriage, one that suggested love was present in at least some Roman marriages regardless of class. Though individualism may not have been prized as it is in current American culture, ancient Romans were individuals. Some people, as Dupont suggested, may have dreaded marriage, while others, as other primary sources describe, may have fallen in love or have at least harbored some affection for their spouses.