WINE TABOO REGARDING WOMEN IN ARCHAIC ROME, ORIGINS OF ITALIAN VITICULTURE, AND THE TASTE OF ANCIENT WINES

A number of ancient sources suggests that Roman women in the archaic period were not allowed to drink wine. Various theories have so far been proposed to explain this taboo, most of them assuming that it meant a complete alcohol ban, and relating it to the special role of women in the Roman family. However, a reconsideration of these theories, which takes into account the results of recent studies on the origins of wine consumption in Italy, shows that the archaic wine taboo had more to do with the nature of wine than with the nature of women.

Rome’s Imperial Women and Rome’s Imperial Power

Livia’s involvement in the case of L. Piso against Urgulania opens this investigation into the powers imperial women were granted or thought to enjoy. Context is set by comparing women considered powerful in the Republic, foreign queens, and the few non-imperial elite women noted in Rome of the principate. Historiography reflects the customs and laws affecting Roman women generally, including prohibition from politics, the military, and legal advocacy for another; patria potestas; and tutela mulierum. Although imperial women usually controlled their own financial resources, such as brickyards, dwellings, and patronage, their self-restraint and modesty were ideals, as seen in the Senatus Consultum de Pisone patre. Octavia and Livia received special grants in 35 BCE; Livia, more honors in 9 BCE, and more in 14 CE, including the title Augusta. The chapter concludes that imperial women had no institutional powers after these early exceptional dispensations accorded to Octavia and Livia.

The Vestal Virgins’ Socio-political Role and the Narrative of Roma Aeterna

Roman women – priestesses, patrician women, mysterious guardians of the sacred flame of goddess Vesta, admired and respected, sometimes blamed for misfortune of the Eternal City. Vestals identified with the eternity of Rome, the priestesses having a specific, unavailable to other women power. That power gained at the moment of a ritual capture (captio) and responsibilities and privileges resulted from it are the subject matter of this paper. The special attention is paid to the importance of Vestals for Rome and Romans in various historic moments, and to the purifying rituals performed by Vestals on behalf of the Roman state’s fortune. The study presents probable dating and possible causes of the end of the College of the Vestals in Rome.

The authorship of Sulpicia

This chapter explores a model of collaborative authorship for the Sulpicia elegies in the Appendix Tibulliana ([Tib.] 3.8–18). These poems represent the largest corpus of extant women’s writing in Latin from pre-Christian antiquity—but their authenticity is doubted by some. Such doubts are partly prompted by the presentation of Sulpicia—especially the switch to the third person in 3.8, 3.10, 3.12. It is argued here, however, that Sulpicia would have been required partially to conceal her authorial identity; attention is drawn to the evidence of the place of Roman women at recitationes in Pliny’s Epistles. It is suggested that Sulpicia’s poetry may originally have been recited by a lectrix. The possibility is considered that Sulpicia’s poems might have been written in partnership with other members of her household. Finally, a reading of [Tib.] 3.13 shows Sulpicia reaching out to the literary community of which she was not allowed full membership, and inviting women readers to engage with her in collaboration.

El progresivo empoderamiento de la mulier frente a la violencia de género y las desigualdades=The progressive empowerment of the mulier against gender violence and inequalities

<p><strong>Resumen</strong></p><p class="western">Con la realización del presente trabajo, pretendemos ofrecer un análisis jurídico de la legislación estatal vigente en materia de igualdad de género y no discriminación, las últimas reformas en Comunidades Autónomas como Andalucía, y los posibles retos, por tratarse de un derecho humano y fundamental. Se ha reparado en aquellos ámbitos donde se manifiestan las desigualdades entre hombre y mujer, y en los problemas que subyacen a los supuestos de violencia de género. Así como se ha profundizado en el papel que tradicionalmente ha desempeñado la mujer en la Historia, especialmente la mujer romana -<em>mulier</em>, <em>uxor</em> o <em>materfamilias</em>-, y su progresivo empoderamiento. Por tanto, abordar la necesaria igualdad de género puede resultar un punto de partida para futuros planes y políticas activas que ayuden a superar las trabas que aún existen.</p><p><strong>Abstract</strong><strong></strong></p><p>With the completion of this work, we intend to offer a legal analysis of current state legislation on gender equality and non-discrimination, the latest reforms in Autonomous Communities such as Andalusia and possible challenges, as it is a human and fundamental right. Especially observed are those areas where inequalities between men and women are manifested, and in the problems underlying the assumptions of gender violence. As well as the role that women have traditionally played in History, especially Roman women -<em>mulier, uxor </em>or<em> materfamilias</em>-, and their progressive empowerment have been deepened. Therefore, addressing the necessary gender equality can be a starting point for future plans and active policies that help to overcome the obstacles that still exist.</p>