In Roman law, the family is similar to the state. the family man is also the head of the state. Pater familias means “family Father ” in Latin. pater familias has unlimited authority over family members, whatever he says happens. This unlimited authority is also called patria potestas . getting under the patria potestas occurs in cases of childbirth, adoption (adoptio) and correction of the cause . the termination of patria potestas is nobly caused by the death of the pater familias and the fact that they have become their own children sui iuris. also, with the removal from domination (emancipatio) and the removal of the married woman from the manus, the patria potestas ends.