Family life in Ancient Rome was VERY important. Families were the center of everything. The center of the family was the father. The father was the head of the family and he was in control of the daughters (till they got married), sons, and his wife. He wielded unlimtied power. The father was 'worshipped' by his family, and had the power of the families life and death. The father held the title "paterfamilias", which meant "family father". Family was so important to the Romans, they worshipped the goddess Vesta. Vesta is the goddess of hearth and home. Since she was the goddess of hearth and home, they never put out the fire. Mothers in Rome were also respected very much. The mothers were called "matrons", or "lady mothers".