Page:The Ancient City- A Study on the Religion, Laws, and Institutions of Greece and Rome.djvu/123

 CHAP. VIII. AUTHORITY IX THE FAMILY. 117 gunge, moreover, the title of ^:>a^e7*, or jKiter familias, might be given to a man wlio had no children, who was not married, and who was not even of age to contract marriage. The idea of paternity, therefore, was not attached to this word. The old language had another word which properly designated the father, and which, as ancient as pater^ is likewise found in the language of the Greeks, of the Komans, and of the Hindus {gdnitar^ )tvvi(TTiQ, genitor). The Avord pater had an- other sense. In religious language they applied it to the gods; in legal language to every man who had a Avorship and a domain. The poets show us that they applied it to every one whom they wished to honor. The slave and the client applied it to their master. It was synonymous with the words rex, (ivul, Buailei'g. It contained in itself not the idea of paternity, but that of power, authority, majestic dignity. That such a word should have been applied to the father of a family until it became his most common appellation, is assuredly a very significant fact, and one whose importance will appear to all who wish to aiider- Btand ancient institutions. The history of thi.' word sufiices to give us an idea of the power which the father exercised for a long time in the family, and of the senti- ment of veneration which was due him as a pontiflfand a sovereign. 2. Enumeration of the Ilights that composed Pater- nal Power. Greek and Roman laws recognized in the father this unlimited power with which religion had at first clothed him. The numerous and diverse rights which these laws conferred upon him may be divided into three