Because Christian Patriarchy Isn't Christian

The second reason Rome probably passed the Oppian law was to limit women’s public display of wealth. Rome was in mourning after the Battle of Cannae. It wasn’t a time to have parties and wear fancy clothes. It was a time to batten down the hatches and fight to the death (which is pretty much what they did). It was especially not a time for women to have more money than men. Rome was a very patriarchal society and Roman matrons–safely married women under the guardianship of their husbands–symbolized the success of Roman society. Independently wealthy women free from male leadership did not….