What Life Was Like For Women in the Roman Empire

Imagine living in a world where your signature held no power, voice, or vote. For Roman women, their legal existence often felt like a shadow of the men around them. Yet, clever women found ways to navigate these restrictions.

A widow managing her estate could wield economic clout that rivaled her male counterparts. Women of influence, like the formidable Livia Drusilla, whispered advice into the ears of emperors, shaping history from the sidelines. Despite the legal constraints, Roman women’s resilience and ingenuity shone through.