Formas dotales en la comedia plautina

Abstract

This article analyzes some of the most relevant aspects that we can learn about dowry in the study of Plautus' comedies. The dowry, despite being a much studied topic in the classical period, still presents some obscure angles, particularly from the archaic period to pre-classical period, where the juridical sources are virtually inexistent. It is here where literary sources set in with the purpose of establishing some of the fundamental features of this institution. In this paper, the main characteristics derived from such sources are outlined: (i) its social importance and the role it used to play in marriage; and (ii) the forms used to constitute it.