goldenecho

Hello! I've been researching color in 1st century Rome...and yeah, the paintings from that time period showed all sorts of color: I've read that the Vestal Virgins wore yellow, as did brides, and I read somewhere that saffron yellow was only supposed to be worn by married women and vestal virgins, (although that was only one source, so I'm not sure how good it was). The yellow made from weld I gather was ok for everyone to wear. So, anyways, that leads me to believe yellow was definitely NOT associated with prostitutes. But I have read that prostitutes wore a dark toga (as did mourners...not sure if it was the same) http://cathyscostumeblog.blogspot.com/2012/06/still-more-about-toga.html You can read about the various colors that were available in Roman times here: http://www.tribunesandtriumphs.org/roman-clothing/colors-of-roman-clothing.htm

I'm interested in the role of the tutor/guardian in Roman culture. I understand that by the empire Roman women could choose their own tutor (fire them, hire a new one), so the women had more control over the tutor than the other way around. But I'm just dipping into this topic so any good links on this subject would be great! I'm really curious about how the rule that Augustus made where women who had had three children (4 for freedwomen) did not have to have a tutor affected things. I understand women could own property and inherit things, but until their "pater" died their property would be under the pater-familias (unless they married in manu, in which case it would be their husbands." Since the "pater" owned all the weath of a family, even that of their grown sons...I was wondering if women with three children who had married "sine manu" who's "pater" had died would sometimes be able to hold their own property before their husbands could hold their own property? And if so I wonder if there was ever instances where couples used this "loop-hole" to escape the control of a "pater" or if wives ever used this to gain more control over their husbands. I'd love to hear anything anyone knows about how this law affected daily life for women and families.

HI! Since I'm new here just thought I'd introduce myself. I love history but have never been particulary drawn to Roman history...UNTIL, I found out our church, who every year does a Vacation Bible School focused on a different Bible story and the historical place associated with it, was doing "Rome: Paul and the Early Church" this year. So I started digging in to Roman History and WOW, is it fascinating! I guess I was never drawn to it before because I don't care for Greek and Roman mythology, but the politics, society, and culture of Rome in general is just interesting stuff! I'm so glad to find this forum because everything I read just leads to more questions (which I'll be asking in more appropriate places here). (But, on a side note...if anyone wants to know how to make cheap, fake "tile roof" out of construction paper for a classroom display or something like that...or how to make a kids craft with laurel wreaths...I have some great ideas. I'm helping with crafts and decor for our VBS so will have some more cheap "Roman decor" tips by the time I'm done).