Tell us about ancient Roman family traditions.

The father was at the head of the family. He could judge, punish, and even execute. One custom demanded from the father of the family not cruelty, but strictness and justice. The family also included the mother of the family, children, wives and children of adult sons, and slaves. When the father died, the father became the head of the new family. The married Roman woman, the mother of the family, was called the matron. Even adult sons bowed before her authority. The mother of the family made sure that the behavior of all family members was dignified, in accordance with Roman customs.