Through a look at the family, this book discusses the intersections between Roman and Christian legal culture, thought, and political power after the collapse of the Roman Empire.

AbbreviationsIntroductionTerminology and Time FrameStructurePart One: Creating New FamiliesChapter One: Property, Power and Bride PriceChapter Two: Consent to BetrothalChapter Three: Betrothal, Desire, and Emotional AttachmentChapter Four: Having ChildrenChapter Four: Family PlanningConclusions to Part OnePart Two: MarriageChapter One: Property and the Limits of MarriageChapter Two: Sex and the Meaning of MarriageChapter Four: DivorceChapter Five: ConcordiaConclusions to Part TwoPart Three: ParenthoodChapter One: Patrimony and FatherhoodChapter Two: The Role and Meaning of FatherhoodChapter Three: The Legal Role of MothersChapter Four: The Nurturing MotherChapter Five: Parents and BetrothalChapter Six: Parents and Adult ChildrenConclusions to Part ThreeConclusionsAppendix One: The Law CodesAppendix Two: Table of Incidence of Laws Concerning Betrothal and MarriageAppendix Three: Table of Incidence of Laws Concerning ParentingNotes