Aspetti delle relazioni familiari nel fiorentino. Il mutamento tra i secoli XI e XIII

The structure of the family in Florence and its territories underwent several changes from the 11th to 13th century. Researchers have long highlighted these changes, the forging of strong bonds of solidarity between the 'agnati', relatives in the paternal line, and the progressive exclusion of women and in-laws from the hereditary tree, in the Italian municipal context. The documents unearthed show that from a juridical perspective, these changes were sanctioned by a strengthening of the Roman dowry system with respect to that of the Germanic tradition of 'morgengabe'. The aim of the article is to demonstrate how the Roman system tended to weaken the efficacy of marriage as a tool for mediation between warring family groups. Indeed, women were no longer able to take with them large, highly symbolic and militarily decisive portions of the family assets. In the age of the 'comune', the long periods of peace (alliances) came about and were sanctioned by the exchange of the 'torri' – strategic symbols of power, rather than women’s dowries.