La concordia du pater familias et de ses dépendants dans les sources de la fin de la République romaine

Abstract

In several sources dating from the end of the Republic, family is considered like the primary cell of the city. In this context, the word concordia is used to describe the ideal relationship between some parents, namely the pater familias in his relations with his magistrate son and especially with his wife. The authors of our sources questioned the ability of the pater familias, by his authority, to arouse voluntary obedience from those, within the group’s dependents, who benefited relative freedom. This ability of the pater familias to establish the concord with his dependents and thus to build this ideal relationship between free persons through the exercise of his authority, was the basis for his claim to establish it with all the citizens in public space.