\paperw3900 \margr0\margl0 \plain \fs20 \li105 \f1 \fs22 The head of the family (paterfamilias) had absolute authority over his children and even, in the earliest phase
s of Roman history, held the power of life and death over them. This right was lost during the Empire, and yet up until the first centuries after Christ he was still able to expose newborn children at the public dumps, where they died of cold and hunger.
This practice was confined largely to the poorest classes, and used to get rid of illegitimate children and newborn girls. It was only through the influence of Christianity that an end was put to this dramatic custom in 374 BC.\par
