women of ancient greece
The Women of Greece: A Transition from Ancient Power to Classical Subservience For the most part, women in today's society hold a position equal to that of a man; however, this has not always been the case. Women's conquest for political and social freedom is a battle that has gone on for centuries. Perhaps the breaking point in women's liberation was the Women's Movement of the 1900's, which encouraged women all over America to join in the fight for their right to vote. Because of this struggle for equality, women are now able to vote, receive a standard of fairness in the workplace, hold political positions, and play professional sports, as well as a wide array of other privileges enjoyed by men. Unfortunately, these civil rights have not been made available to women worldwide. In some cultures, especially those of the Middle East, women have gained little if any rights at all since the societies of the past. In Greece, an almost opposite effect can be seen in its history in! which women in their country went from being recognized as equals and above, to becoming a much weaker sex. This odd transition of status of Greek women is evident through the art, mythology, and philosophy of a much older Greece. Thus dominant role of wo
y clothed, but even when skin was bared the women always seemed proud, unashamed and strong (refer to Plate 3). This new found reserve reveals the meeker women of the Classical period in Greece. This new more timid, submissive role that women possessed in the Classical period of Greece is greatly displayed in the art of the time. On a vase by the Kleophon Painter is a perfect model of this new woman (see Plate 7). She is carrying a jug, slumping her shoulders and walking with her head down. The way that she is carrying herself alone implies that she is subservient, weak and lacks any pride at all. The girl in depicted on this vase is so different from the women in the Archaic artwork. When the girl carrying the jug is compared to Athena (refer to Plate 4), who is standing tall with good posture, her head up and full of pride, it is evident that the women of this era are treated completely different than in earlier Greece. Even the mythological creatures of the two eras contras! inance in Greece. On the issue of educating Grecian women, Theophrastus (a philosopher of the classical period) felt that a woman's education should be very limited. Theophrastus felt that it wasn't important for a woman to know, "'How to administrate a city but rather run a household.' He also maintained...that the education of women was necessary, on condition that it be limited to 'what it is necessary to run a household; further instruction would just make them lazy, more talkative, and indiscreet'" (qtd. in Cantarella 57). Women of the Classical period in Greece were expected to run the household, order the slaves, tend the children, cook the meals and stay out of sight. There was a very sexist attitude toward women during this time in Greece's history. The playwright Meander told, "The loom is women's work and not debate" (qtd. in Bowra 85). Women's roles took a drastic turn from the freedom that women had in the Archaic era of Greece to the bondage they served in during! Zues was the 'father of all gods and men' even he had to bow to the power of the fates" tells Larrington (86). The fates are, without question, symbolic of women's role and the influence they had on men during the Archaic period in Greece. Women's role of equality is greatly indicated in the art of Ancient Greece. There is a plethora of evidence showing a stronger, more respected woman than that of the Classical period in Greece. In Paeonius of Mende's sculpture The Victory of Olympia, a woman has been chosen to portray victory (see Plate 3). She stands very proud and tall with widespread wings and definitely takes on a great deal of intensity. These characteristics are not that of a subservient house wife. For such a symbolic figure, it is strange to have chosen a female for the subject, unless women were interpreted as important figures at the time. This piece depicts a sense of respect and equality that reflects the women of ancient Greece. A constant subject of art for th! hat are under her name, not her children or husband. If the woman dies, the husband can do whatever he wants with the remaining assets (Lefkowitz 2). During the Classical period of Greece, in determining one's social status there were obvious double-standards. If a male slave married a free woman, then their children would be free; however, if a female slave married a free man, then their children would be slaves. Women also weren't allowed to adopt (Lefkowitz 3). The women of the Classical period and the way they are treated is in deep contrast with the women of the Archaic period in Greece. In the artwork of Classical Greece, much evidence can be found to reveal the contrast of these two periods. Perhaps one of the most noticeable factors of Classical artwork is the sudden modesty and vulnerability expressed by nude female subjects. An excellent example of this new embarrassment is the Capitoline Aphrodite (see Plate 6). Whereas in the Archaic period women in art were usuall! . Athens War, which
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Approximate Word count = 3195
Approximate Pages = 13 (250 words per page double spaced)
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