A really excellent piece! I just started reading A Rome of One's Own by Emma Southon which is all about the important roles that women played in ancient Roman culture that were mostly glossed over in "traditional" histories that focus on the wars and the "doing of imporant things." It's abundantly clear that our views of submissive, obedient, always patient "ideal" wives comes from this culture, as well as all the things you noted about Pater Familias.

It's quite well done and very funny at times. I'm enjoying it a lot but it does sure tell us a lot about where this stuff comes from.