Final answer:
Women in both Roman and Chinese societies primarily held informal power. They influenced power structures not through formal political roles, but through family relations and religious roles.
Step-by-step explanation:
In both Roman and Chinese societies, the primary form of power that women held can be considered as Informal power. In the Roman context, power was often tied to family dynamics and women, while not necessarily holding formal political roles, oftentimes wielded significant influence within their families and thus, over political decisions. Similarly, in various Chinese dynasties, women could assert their influence through roles such as the matriarch of a family or through participation in spiritual practices, thereby holding informal power.
The term informal power is used here to refer to power that is not codified in law or formal institutions but is nevertheless significant. Women in these societies were generally not the primary holders of formal political or legal positions, however, their roles in families, religious practices, and through other social means meant they could influence socio-political processes. This depiction aligns with Weber's analysis of power and authority, where 'traditional authority' often vested in religious or familial roles can serve as a source of power.
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