Freeborn women in ancient Rome were citizens (cives), but could not vote or hold political office. Because of their limited public role, women are named less frequently than men by Roman historians. Role of Roman men in society. The role of Roman men in society was considerably higher than women and slaves. The society was composed of free men as well as slaves and there were thousands of slaves in the empire. These slaves were an important factor that sustained the economy of the empire.
