Jump to content
UNRV Ancient Roman Empire Forums

Illegitimacy


Raziel

Recommended Posts

I've read from some sources that some leading Romans (Julius and Augustus to name a few) may have had almost 100 illegitimate children during their lifetimes across the med. sea. I know for a fact that Augustus was someone who played around with almost everybody during his long life but almost a 100 children from these types of relationships? I don't think anyone is gonna doubt he definitely had children that weren't legally aknowledged but i'm not sure I buy 100 children. I suppose it is possible though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've read from some sources...

 

Which sources, Raziel? I'm not saying I doubt that Roman men of renown had illegitimate children -- a lot of Roman men did, considering their access to female slaves. But for a writer to state a number such as "almost 100" for any one, specific Roman such as Julius Caesar or Augustus, makes me curious as to who the writer is and upon what information he is basing such a calculation.

 

Btw, welcome to UNRV.

 

-- Nephele

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Its also known that contraception by various means was practised regularly. Leather condoms have been recovered. Also, does this 100 illegimate children include those unacknowledged by the father and exposed/left for slavers? Those born to slave women aren't likely to be counted to be honest, since they're simply property of the slaves owner. Or is this claim made to underline the virility of the gentleman?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I personally think 100 illegitimate children, while not impossible, is more than likely an exaggeration. Does this come from an ancient source, or modern?

 

I must admit that I haven't come across anything that claims Augustus had a large number of illegitimate children. The closest I have found is a comment that Claudius revived a rumour that his father, with whom his grandmother Livia was pregnant when she divorced her husband to marry Augustus, was actually Augustus

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...