Online Encyclopedia
Make a correction
Your email address will not appear on the site. Note, comments may take some time to be approved.
Back to article:
FAMILY
Your email:
Article name:
Article content:
FAMILY, a word of which the etymology but partially illustrates the meaning. The Roman familia, derived from the Oscan famel (serous), originally signified the servile property, the thralls, of a master. Next, the term denoted other domestic property, in things as well as in persons. Thus, in the fifth of the laws of the Twelve Tables, the rules are laid down: sI INTESTATO • MORITUR CUI SUUS • HERES • NEC SIT • ADGNATUS FAMA-