„(J)ust how far can we use our own cultural and moral values to illuminate a very different situation from our own, particularly when the evidence for that ancient society is so patchy? Is objectivity even possible? The answer is that there can be no right or definite answer. All we can do is ask appropriate questions, evaluate the evidence as carefully as we can in the hope that understanding its context may help towards a solution, and be aware that historical interpretations are, in fact, just that – they are not full answers or complete narratives, but readings of ancient evidence made from particular modern perspectives.“

Hope V. and Huskinson J., „The Roman Family“ in Rome – City of People (Milton Keynes, 2006)