In a society where all capacity was rooted in brute force, woman was entirely powerless; but the rights that were guaranteed to her by the twofolddomestic powers on which she depended were recognized; subjugated, she was nonetheless respected; her husband purchased her, but the price of this purchase constituted a dowry that belonged to her; and besides, her father dowered her; she received her portion of the paternal inheritance and, in the case of parents being murdered, a portion of the fine paid by the murderer.