Some day the story of the “ emancipation” of the Roman woman will be told. It will set forth the steps by which she gradually freed herself from the mastery of the paterfamilias, gained control of her dower, the privilege of holding property in her own name, and, except for the absence of political rights, a more favored position before the law than her husband held. I have no intention of attempting to tell that story here. My purpose is merely to bring together a few facts from the history of the late Republic, that may throw some light upon the rôle which women played in the political life of the Roman people during that period.