In my research I analyze the influence of women in the socio-political and cultural life of Western Roman Empire in Late Antiquity. The chronological period of my work is 4th – 5th centuries AD. I use different historical sources, such as the Theodosian Code, “Res Gestae” of Ammianus Marcellinus, letters of Jerome and Sidonius and other.

         First of all, I investigate how did the legislative status of women has changed in Late Antiquity compared to the classical period of the Roman history. It would be interesting to know whether this status allowed women to participate in public life legally? During the last year of work, we have found out that in the perception of the Late Antique society the female gender was considered weaker physically and morally than the male one. The man and the "masculine" were perceived as a "standard", a kind of "norm", and  the woman and all the "feminine" are understood as a "feature", specificity in relation to the "norm" of man. As a result of such beliefs, certain restrictions relating to the sphere of public life and designed to protect women from possible dangers have been enshrined in laws. On the other hand, men sought to prevent activation of women in public life because they wanted to protect other people from the harm that women could inflict because of their “frivolity”. Besides, there was a recommendation for women to leave home as seldom as possible in Late Antique society.

         Secondly, I study the hidden political influence of women through the participation in denunciations. With help of denunciations women collected and disposed of valuable political information. Some women warned their husbands about the danger that threatened them. Women's denunciations in the political sphere could completely change the status of a person up to the question of his life and death. False denunciations allowed women to solve personal problems, for example, getting rid of hated members of their family. Assessments of such political role of women are different. Antique historians negatively assessed female participation if women showed negative moral qualities or if innocent people suffered from their actions.  Condescending attitude was if woman came under male pressure or participated in a denunciation to prevent another danger, for example, a conspiracy.

         Thirdly, I explore the mechanisms of female influence in the religious and cultural fields. Membership in church virgin`s organizations promised to woman and their families a certain prestige, which attracted the representatives of the aristocracy. Virgins, in turn, had emotional influence and convinced the non-noble women to follow their suit and to help people in need. Matrons also provided charitable assistance to representatives of the poorest segments of the population, as Sidonius testifies. According to Jerome, rich women donated considerable money in favor of the Church. Such a wealthy patroness as Melania the Younger impacted on not only Christians, but also on the religious choice of other people. So, in North Africa, Melania used her money to convince young men and women to lead a virtuous Christian life.

During this year of my study I will analyze the influence of women on society and politics through the sphere of private life and family.