Good Old Dad

Rome was a patriarchal society, and the Latin term paterfamilias was a power-packed title when Marc Antony was alive.

Romans were the original Italians, and without sounding grossly stereotypical, "family" included extended family; cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews--even ones that were second cousins or once/twice removed cousins, even clients, and freedmen. Because Antony was a distant cousin of Caesar's (possibly a first cousin, once removed), he indeed enjoyed some privilege of attention, education, and training at Caesar's directive. Especially, since his father had died.

The paterfamilias was the "master of the house". He was the eldest male in a Roman household--sometimes in several households of extended family. Obviously, it all depended on the circumstances. A paterfamilias held the power of "patria potestas" (paternal power). In Roman law, this literally meant that he held the power of life and death over every single member of his household, including slaves! A paterfamilia could also SELL his child if he wished. Now fortunately for the members of the household, these stringent and dire consequences eased up during Imperial times, and the paterfamilias couldn't execute his daughter for refusing to marry the man of his choice! However, in Marc Antony's day, though it would have been looked down upon, Roman law probably would have allowed for that.

Scary, huh?

So, in ancient Rome, you would have wanted to be Dad's favorite, for sure! The original Twelve Tables of Roman Law ensured that infants born into a family with disabilities were put to death. We know that some families didn't adhere to this practice, for the Emperor Claudius is an example of a special needs person surviving the death wish of his paterfamilias. It's more likely that his father accepted him in infancy. Lucky for him!

Heirs could not assume the rights of a paterfamilias until his death. However, even if a boy was extremely young, he could assume the role if his father died before full adulthood. As was the case of Marc Antony, when Lentulus (his stepfather) died, he assumed full responsibility of paterfamilias in the domus Antonii when he was only nineteen.

It was a BIG responsibility being good 'ol Dad in Roman times.

                                                      Brook Allen's beloved "paterfamilias" with her Mother in 2008.