PURPOSE

In Chapter 16 of Suburani, we meet Alexander’s family during a joyful occasion—his wedding to Sabina. In this assignment, you will explore what marriage meant in ancient Rome by reading and reflecting on primary sources about the relationships between husbands and wives.

TASK

Read Husbands and Wives in Chapter 16. Then respond to the following questions in English:

1. Source 1–2: What qualities is the husband of Anicia Caecilia praised for? How do these differ from the qualities highlighted in the epitaph of Claudia?
2. Sources 3–5: How much do these sources tell us about the individuals who are commemorated? What kinds of details are emphasized?
3. Sources 6–8: What do these sources reveal about what Romans considered an ideal marriage?
4. Source 9: According to Pliny, what qualities should one look for in a husband?
5. Reflection: How honest do you think these ancient attitudes toward marriage are? How reliable do you think funerary inscriptions and speeches are as historical sources?

Be specific and thoughtful in your response.

NOTA BENE

• Your submission will be marked as complete if you make a sincere effort to address each of the questions. Please note that 2 points will be deducted for each unanswered question (total: 10 points).

• Your responses must be entirely your own work.
• While you may discuss the assignment with a classmate, each of you should write your own answers independently.
• The use of AI tools is not allowed in the preparation of this assignment.