In Roman law, the family is similar to the state. The father of the family is the head of the state. Pater familias means “father of the family” in Latin. The pater familias has unlimited authority over family members, regardless of what they say. This unlimited authority is also called patria potestas. Patrai potestas occurs in cases of birth, adoption (adoptio), and correction of lineage. Patria potestas ends with the death of the noble pater familias and when his children become sui iuris (self-sufficient). Patria potestas also ends with the emancipation of. A married woman and her release from servitude.