Ancient Rome and female administrators

Abstract

The titles “mothers of cities” and “patronesses (protectresses) of cities” were awarded in the Roman Empire by the city council or local Senate of the city in question. The paper is an attempt to understand what was the relationship between the women who wore these titles and the citizens who awarded them. It is concluded that the agreement to accept the titles of “mothers” and “patronesses” of cities and the implementation of corresponding activities within the relevant offices, allowed Roman women to enter the system of social power in the Empire, thus bypassing the legislative prohibition for women to occupy a political office and participate in elections.