What term refers to the power of the paterfamilias over property and slaves?

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The term that specifically refers to the power of the paterfamilias over property and slaves is dominica potestas. This concept outlined the legal authority a head of the household had over the family's assets and the individuals who were considered part of the household, including slaves. The paterfamilias was the senior male figure in the Roman family structure and had significant control and authority, enabling him to make decisions regarding property and manage the slaves.

Patria potestas, on the other hand, relates primarily to the authority of a father over his children and does not encompass the entirety of property and slave management, focusing instead on familial relationships. Manus refers to the legal power a husband had over his wife in a marriage context, especially in a traditional Roman marriage, and comitia refers to the assembly of Roman citizens eligible to vote, which is unrelated to household authority. Thus, dominica potestas is the correct term that encapsulates the paterfamilias's power over property and slaves, distinguishing it from the other options provided.

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