<P> Because of their extended rights (their longa manus, literally "long hand"), the patres familias also had a series of extra duties: duties towards the filii and the slaves, but some of the duties were recognized not by the original ius civile but only by the ius gentium, specially directed to foreigners, or by the ius honorarium, the law of the Magistratus, especially the Praetor, which would emerge only in a latter period of Roman law). </P> <P> Adult filii remained under the authority of their pater and could not themselves acquire the rights of a pater familias while he lived . Legally, any property acquired by individual family members (sons, daughters or slaves) was acquired for the family estate: the pater familias held sole rights to its disposal and sole responsibility for the consequences, including personal forfeiture of rights and property through debt . Those who lived in their own households at the time of the death of the pater succeeded to the status of pater familias over their respective households (pater familias sui iuris) even if they were only in their teens . Children "emancipated" by a pater familias were effectively disinherited . If a paterfamilias died intestate, his children were entitled to an equal share of his estate . If a will was left, children could contest the estate . </P> <P> Over time, the absolute authority of the pater familias weakened, and rights that theoretically existed were no longer enforced or insisted upon . The power over life and death was abolished, the right of punishment was moderated and the sale of children was restricted to cases of extreme necessity . Under Emperor Hadrian, a father who killed his son was stripped of both his citizenship and all its attendant rights, had his property confiscated and was permanently exiled . </P>

Who was the paterfamilias what role did he play in roman society