To a Roman wife, her husband was not just her partner, but also her guardian, a role he took over from her father when they got married. Despite this, Roman wives had relative freedom. Seen as their husband’s companion and supporter, they often had equal authority over children and running of the household. Freeborn women did not work outside the home, and in wealthier houses most of the work was done by slaves, so wives had time to spend on themselves, having their hair dressed, putting on cosmetics, and entertaining.

A letter written in about AD 90 to105, found at the fort of Vindolanda, gives a vivid picture of one wealthy woman’s life. Claudia Severa, wife of a military officer, writes to her friend Sulpicia Lepidina, wife of the unit commander at Vindolanda. Claudia warmly invites Sulpicia to her birthday party. Although Vindolanda was on the dangerous northern frontier, it was obviously possible for wives to entertain and enjoy themselves even there. Wives are also mentioned in inscriptions on tombstones in Roman Britain. Although ordinary serving soldiers were not permitted to marry until 212, the women mentioned include slaves as well as the wealthy, and names from many regions of the Empire.