Tutela

thumb|Bust of Tutela from the Martigny mithraeum In ancient Roman culture and mythology, Tutela was a goddess and divine personification of "guardianship." As a concept, tutela had specific applications under Roman law.

==Legal tutela== Under Roman law, there were several forms of tutela ("guardianship" or "tutelage"), mainly for people such as minors and women who ordinarily in Roman society would be under the legal protection and control of a paterfamilias, but who for whatever reasons were sui iuris, legally emancipated. The guardian who oversaw their interests was a tutor. Latin legal terminology distinguishes among several types of tutela, including: tutela fiduciaria, fiduciary guardianship. tutela impuberum, guardianship for minors who were emancipated from the legal control (potestas) of a paterfamilias or head of household. tutela mulierum, guardianship of emancipated women, generally those whose fathers had died. In the "core period" of Roman history (2nd century BC to 2nd century AD), a married woman did not enter into the potestas of her husband, and remained legally a part of her birth family. The appointment of a tutor was meant to ensure that her interests and those of her family were protected, particularly in matters of property rights, since the ownership of property by married people remained separate. On occasion, a woman who wanted her husband to manage her property might have him appointed tutor.