Is family at the center of your life?

     A Matron!  Don’t worry.  This doesn’t mean you are a spinster who runs an orphanage.  Nor does it have any bearing on your economic status.  Mostly, it just means “lady of the house.”  And since in Roman times, women didn’t generally have a choice about whether they were married or not, matron also meant “wife” and “mother.”  Today, we call you “Ms.”

     And believe it or not, you are a very lucky girl!

     Your parents chose your husband for you, or more accurately, they sold you to the highest bidder.  Your husband picked you for the social standing your lineage will give him, and for the sons he was promised you would bear.  Your parents agreed to the match because of the social standing your husband's lineage would give them. 

     You had your wedding when you were twelve to sixteen years old, and this was probably the first time you had seen or met your husband.  But that’s okay, because in Roman times, marriage was a business venture more than a loving bond.  Sure lots of girls did marry for love, but for the most part, marriage was a job. 

     If you marry well, you’ll have your own quarters in his home.  That means you’ll not only have your own bedroom, but a private sitting room, private garden, toilet, and whatever other room you may need. You can even have your own home if you want (and your husband can afford it.)  And of course, you can have as many slaves as your husband can afford.

     If your husband isn’t so well to do, you can still have your own bed, and maybe at least one slave.

     You are the queen of your home (or homes) and no one would ever dare challenge your word.  You hold as many swank parties as your husband can afford.  Some may be friends over for dinner, business dinners, or simply a great bash to improve your social status.  You are the planner and the hostess, and never will you have to lift a finger to cook or to serve.

     Household slaves will do all the cooking, cleaning, and laundry, so you can fill your day with shopping trips, visiting with friends, and watching the heart-throb gladiators at the Coliseum.  In fact, you are so hot for the gladiators that you even buy little vials of their “scent” (sweat.)  You dream of hot, passionate encounters with them.

     You will most likely have children, and you are the one responsible for raising them, but this doesn’t mean you’ll be strapped to the baby carriage all day.  Remember, you have slaves to do your work for you, and that includes changing diapers.  Most of your parental attention will be focused on your daughters, as it’s up to you to teach them how to be good wives and mothers.  Your sons will move out of your care at about age seven, when their education will be provided for by a tutor.

     It’s not a bad job, being a matron.  As a single girl, you weren’t allowed out in public.  As a matron, you can come and go as you please.  Your husband supports you, so you don’t have to work.  Your slaves do all your work for you, so again, you don’t have to work.  And you are allowed to have a life that is separate from your husband’s, so long as you don’t publicly embarrass him. 

     Truly, does it get any better?

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