ABSTRACT
In Rome, as in many societies, motherhood had always established or enhanced a woman's status. Fertility was associated with the general good. Expressions such as matrona and materfamilias, denoting an honourable married woman, were derived from mater on the assumption that marriage and motherhood went together (Aul. Gell. NA 18.6.8-9; Cic. Top. 14). The ancient rites of the Lupercal involved flicking women with leather thongs to induce fertility (Plut. Caes. 61; Fowler 1899: 320). The censors traditionally enquired of married men whether they had married for the purpose of having children - liberorum quaerendorum (or pTOCTeandorum) causa (Aul. Gell. NA. 17.21.44; 4.3.2.; Dion. Halic. 2.25.7), a reflection of the community view of the function of marriage (e.g. Seneca de Matrim. 58; Plaut. Mil. GL 703-4). From time to time, censors had taken it upon themselves to pressure citizens to marry and have children (e.g. Pluto Cam. 2; Val. Max. 2.9.1; Pluto Cat. maio 16; Cic. Leg. 3.7; Aul. Gell. NA 5.19.6).
