Athenian women

A detailed Summary of Athenian women

Athenian society was very dynamic in many areas while it was strict in regard to the treatment of women. Although Athenian women were protected by the state and did not know a different way of living, they were very stifled and restricted. The only exception was slaves, and heteria, prostitutes, and this was due to the fact that they had no male guardians. Since these women were on there own they had to take care of themselves, and therefore were independent. In a more recent and modern way of viewing the role of a woman, independence and freedom to do as one likes is one of the most important aspects of living. In Athens the wives had none of this freedom and the prostitutes did. Who then really had a "better" life, those who had all protection and no freedom, or those who had all freedom and independence?

"Every Athenian girl expected to be married, and marriage and motherhood were considered the fulfillment of the female role." This was what a woman's life was headed towards and was thought to be the purpose of life. For a young girl to die before she had children was a fate thought of as being extremely sad. Women did not marry for love; the reason for marriage was usually for economic purposes or for political tie

A scorned wife spoke this in one of Sophocles' lost plays. Sophocles has seized the essence of what it means to be a woman in Athens at this time.

of discussing and illuminating any kind of question with her husband."

Aspasia, although favored by Pericles, was a subject of controversy for Athenian citizens. She was not a citizen herself but managed to win the preference of the political leader of all the Athenian Empire. Percales, "divorced his wife-a rich and noble lady-and took Asperse as his mistress." The citizens of Athens did not approve of this event on the whole, and accused her of interfering with political affairs. This is a bold accusation because politics was something that women were not supposed to have anything to do with. Plato wrote a well known dialogue called Menexenus, in which he claimed that the funeral oration Pericles gave was actually written by Aspasia: yet another suspicion of her involvement in Athenian politics. A wife would not have had such proclamations against her since she was not viewed as threatening. One could conclude this was due to her restricted position of passivity contrary to the more worldly and knowledgeable role of hetairai, especially!

"Although to a modern woman, the role of neither hetairai nor secluded housewife appears attractive, it is tempting for us to idealize the former and to pity the latter." The Athenian wife did not have much room for independence, individuality, or amusement, where as prostitutes were in many cases their own keepers. "The hetairai had access to the intellectual life of Athens, which we nowadays treasure, and a popular courtesan who was not a slave had the freedom to be with whomever pleased her." However one can only speculate and it is unfair to attach today's values to ancient affairs, but, but the basic question to be answered would be, "which was the preferable role-companion or wife?"

Prostitutes are the only women in Athens who could control large sums of money. Even a select few were so successful they were able to make donations. If one was a hetairai, she was in the most lucrative business for most people, especially any woman. "hetairai became the life-long mistresses of wealthy citizens." Herodotus wrote the first story about a woman, Rhodopis, who was credited with funding the building of a pyramid, and also made expensive donations to Delphi.

Water had to be fetched from a fountain and was considered a female chore, however this was among the jobs of a servant, "fetching water involved social mingling, gossip at the fountain, and possible flirtations." This sort of thing would be considered unacceptable for a wife to handle. Women were not trusted and thought to be highly susceptible to sexual intimacy and flirtation. Since the men placed

Some common words found in the essay are:
Sophocles Fragment, , Empire Percales, Adultery Athens, Pericles Despite, Romans Western, Delphi Aspasia, Athenian Greeks, athenian society, allowed leave, women supposed, wives allowed leave, marriage usually, wives allowed, act adultery, outside home, slave women, words translate, political leader,

Approximate Word count = 1880
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Miscellaneous