Moreover, although a gens is very powerful as the existence of this court proves independent of public courts, the father, as head of the family, is above all a citizen: his authority is unlimited, he rules absolutely over wife and children; but they are not his property; rather, he administers their existence for the public good; the woman, who brings his children into the world and whosedomestic duties often extend to agricultural tasks, is very useful to the country and deeply respected.