CHAP. XII.: Of the Guardianship of Women among the Romans.

THE Roman laws subjected women to a perpetual guardianship, except they were under cover and subject to the authority of a husband Nisi convenissent in manum viri. ^†231. This guardianship was given to the nearest of the male relations; and, by a vulgar expression Ne sis mihi patruus oro. ^†232, it appears they were very much confined. This was proper for a republic, but not at all necessary in a monarchy The Papian law ordained, under Augustus, that women who had borne three children should be exempt from this tutelage. ^†233.

That the women among the ancient Germans were likewise under a perpetual tutelage, appears from the different codes of the laws of the barbarians This tutelage was, by the Germans, called Mundeburdium. ^†234. This custom was communicated to the monarchies founded by those people, but was not of a long duration.