Roman Girlhood and the Fashioning of Femininity

"Elite women in the Roman world were often educated, socially prominent, and even relatively independent. Yet the social regime that ushered these same women into marriage and childbearing at an early age was remarkably restrictive. In the first book-length study of girlhood in the early Roman Empire, Lauren Caldwell investigates the reasons for this paradox. Through an examination of literary, legal, medical, and epigraphic sources, she identifies the social pressures that tended to overwhelm concerns about girls' individual health and well-being. In demonstrating how early marriage was driven by a variety of concerns, including the value placed on premarital virginity and paternal authority, this book enhances an understanding of the position of girls as they made the transition from childhood to womanhood."--Publisher's Web site Cover 1 Half-title 3 Title page 5 Copyright information 6 Table of contents 7 Acknowledgments 8 Introduction 9 Chapter 1 Formal education and socialization in virtue 23 Reading and Writing 25 Pitfalls of Education 35 Mothers and other models for feminine behavior 43 Conclusion 51 Chapter 2 Protecting virginity 53 Augustus Protection of Virginity 55 The Virgo as Legal and Ethical Subject 58 Stuprum and the Virgo as Legal Object 69 Deeds, Sayings, and Speeches 74 Traditional Responses and Paternal Authority 75 The Virgines of Roman Declamation 81 Conclusion 85 Chapter 3 "All kinds of exercises fitting for girls" 87 Theories 89 Prescriptions 95 Recommendations for age at First Marriage 102 Educating girls about the body 108 Conclusion 112 Chapter 4 The pressure to marry 113 Underage Cohabitation 115 Rules: made to be broken? 124 Social Pressures Toward Early Marriage 133 Conclusion 140 Chapter 5 The wedding and the end of girlhood 142 Setting the Stage: Prenuptial Ritual 145 Deductio in Domum Mariti: Catullus and Petronius 147 The Unwilling Bride: Plutarch and Ausonius 164 Conclusion 172 Epilogue 174 Bibliography 178 Index 193 In The First Book-length Study Of Girlhood In The Early Roman Empire, Lauren Caldwell Investigates The Reasons For This Paradox. Through An Examination Of Literary, Legal, Medical, And Epigraphic Sources, She Identifies The Social Pressures That Tended To Overwhelm Concerns About Girls' Individual Health And Well-being. In Demonstrating How Early Marriage Was Driven By A Variety Of Concerns, Including The Value Placed On Premarital Virginity And Paternal Authority, This Book Enhances An Understanding Of The Position Of Girls As They Made The Transition From Childhood To Womanhood.--provided By Publisher Introduction -- Formal Education And Socialization In Virture -- Protecting Virginity -- All Kinds Of Exercises Fitting For Girls -- The Pressure To Marry -- The Wedding And The End Of Girlhood -- Epilogue. Lauren Caldwell. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "Elite women in the Roman world were often educated, socially prominent, and even relatively independent. Yet the social regime that ushered these same women into marriage and childbearing at an early age was remarkably restrictive. In the first book-length study of girlhood in the early Roman Empire, Lauren Caldwell investigates the reasons for this paradox. Through an examination of literary, legal, medical, and epigraphic sources, she identifies the social pressures that tended to overwhelm concerns about girls' individual health and well-being. In demonstrating how early marriage was driven by a variety of concerns, including the value placed on premarital virginity and paternal authority, this book enhances an understanding of the position of girls as they made the transition from childhood to womanhood."_Contracub