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This paper aims at reviewing the importance of milk brothers ( conlactei) within the context of the pagan Roman society. To do this, I examine epigraphic, iconographic, and literary sources, focusing, on one hand, on the relationship of affection between the brothers and, on the other, on the link that existed between them with their wet nurses. These family ties that went beyond the strictly biological, entered the affective and emotional level, showing an emotional relationship that exceeded breastfeeding and, in some cases, were lifelong.