Legal Definitions - praeposita negotiis vel rebus domesticis

praeposita negotiis vel rebus domesticis

This Latin phrase historically refers to the legal status of a woman, typically a wife, who was formally recognized as being in charge of the household's domestic affairs and management. It signifies her delegated authority and responsibility over the internal operations and resources of the home.

• Consider a 19th-century English manor where the lady of the house regularly negotiated prices with local merchants for household provisions, managed the budget for daily necessities, and authorized repairs to the kitchen. Her actions demonstrate her role as praeposita negotiis vel rebus domesticis, as she held the recognized authority to make decisions and enter into agreements concerning the domestic economy of the household.

• In a colonial American household, a wife might have been responsible for directing the enslaved people or indentured servants in their daily tasks, such as cooking, cleaning, and childcare. She would assign duties, oversee their performance, and ensure the smooth running of the home. This oversight of the domestic workforce illustrates her position as praeposita negotiis vel rebus domesticis, signifying her delegated authority over the internal operations of the household.

• Imagine a Roman household where the materfamilias (mother of the family) was entrusted with the keys to the storerooms, managed the family's food supply, and decided on the allocation of resources for daily meals and special occasions. Her control over these essential domestic resources and her decision-making power regarding their use exemplify her status as praeposita negotiis vel rebus domesticis, highlighting her formal responsibility for the household's sustenance and internal management.