Abstract
The aim of the paper is to analyse the character of parent-child relationship in ancient Rome. The first part deals with the patria potestas and individual personal powers of the head of the family over children creating its content, and with other different legal and moral aspects of the relationship between the parents and the children as the up-bringing, the alimentation, and various other duties.
The second part focuses on the works of ancient authors and the tomb inscriptions which show the feelings of parents towards children and vice versa. Third part informs briefly about the research on life expectancy in Rome.