What legal power does the paterfamilias hold over his descendants?

The legal power held by the paterfamilias over his descendants is known as patria potestas. This concept refers to the authority and rights that the head of a Roman household had over his family. Under patria potestas, the paterfamilias had control over the lives and property of his children and even his grandchildren. This included the power to make decisions regarding marriage, finances, and education.

Patria potestas was a foundational principle in Roman family law, emphasizing the patriarchal structure of Roman society. It gave the paterfamilias complete legal authority, and this power remained until his death or until he formally emancipated his children.

The other terms have distinct meanings in the context of Roman law and society. Dominica potestas refers to the power a master has over a slave. Manus denotes the power a husband has over his wife when they are in a legal union. Auctoritas is a broader term related to influence and authority but does not specifically refer to familial power as patria potestas does.