Rape Culture in Ancient Rome
by Molly Ashmore
Ovid recognizes that women are restrained from expressing their sexuality by patriarchal forces.
P20
The first recorded example of legal censure for stuprum [sexual misconduct] is the Lex Scantinia, a measure which seems to have had little social impact. There is no concrete evidence of when this law was put in place…the most commonly accepted date for the statute is 149 BCE. Unfortunately, neither the text of the law nor a sufficient description of its contents survives….
P23
most likely a civil law. Before Lex Julia there is no evidence of set penalties and the paterfamilias, not a court, determined punishment for stuprum of any sort.
P24
The passage of the Lex Julia de Adulteriis Coercendis in 18 BCE dramatically transformed the previously private customs for regulating sexual morality by criminalizing and publicizing adultery.
P25
a husband who did not bring an accusation against his adulterous wife was himself liable under the law. [Lenocinium.]
P34
Thus Livy’s work serves as a basis for understanding the status quo before the Romans had public knowledge about sexual assault.
P59
Ovid recognizes that women are restrained from expressing their sexuality by patriarchal forces. According to the rules of society and the Lex Julia they are not allowed to engage in sexual relationships according to their personal desires.
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