Roman law and tradition ("mos majorum") established the power of the "pater familias" within the community of his own extended "familia". In Roman family law, the term "Patria potestas" (Latin: “power of a father”) refers to this concept. He held legal privilege over the property of the "familia", and varying levels of authority over his dependents: these included his wife and children, certain other relatives through blood or adoption, clients, freedmen and enslaved persons. The same "mos majorum" moderated his authority and determined his responsibilities to his own "familia" and to the broader community. He had a duty to father and raise healthy children as future citizens of Rome, to maintain the moral propriety and well-being of his household, to honour his clan and ancestral gods and to dutifully participate—and if possible, serve—in Rome's political, religious and social life. In effect, the "pater familias" was expected to be a good citizen. In theory at least, he held powers of life and death over every member of his extended "familia" through ancient right. In practice, the extreme form of this right was seldom exercised. It was eventually limited by law.