Ancient Greek women, excluded from the elite citizenship reserved only for men, were viewed only as wives of citizens, or as daughters who would become wives of citizens (Cartledge, 1998). Marriage and motherhood were regarded as a woman's primary goals in life, with the sole purpose of marriage being for procreation (Pomeroy, 1975) The death of an unmarried girl elicited expressions of sorrow, as the girl failed to fulfil her goal of marriage, and is even portrayed as a bride on her memorial vases.

Prior to marriage, the woman was provided with a dowry to be used only for her support. It was passed from the father to the husband, but neither the woman nor her guardian, husband, or father could legally dispose of it (Pomeroy, 1975). Marriage arrangements were made entirely by men, and it was the woman's obligation to marry whom was chosen for them- possibly someone they had never seen before, or even a family relative (Cartledge, 1998). It was seen to be ideal for a girl to marry at the age of fourteen to a man of about thirty, with the necessity that the br

Hera was the queen of the gods and was wife and sister to Zeus. Hera was goddess of marriage and the protector of married women. Hera was a jealous wife, who often persecuted Zeus's mistresses and children. She never forgot an injury and was known for her vindictive nature. Angry with the Trojan prince Paris for preferring Aphrodite, goddess of love, to herself, Hera aided the Greeks in the Trojan War and was not appeased until Troy was finally destroyed (New Illustrated Columbia Encyclopedia).

Although the woman and all her freedoms and belongings were under the control of the husband, this does not propose that the husband showed emotion or affection for his wife.

Women were presented quite negatively in Greek Mythology. The Goddesses are depicted to be much stronger and more forceful than Greek women.

Unlike the Athenian wife, prostitutes may have preferred daughters to sons, in the hope of training the daughter in the trade of prostitution, which would surely provide an income for them when they could no longer work themselves (Pomeroy, 1975).

Much of Plato's notions in Republic were inspired by the Spartan view of women. These women did not bear children until eighteen, could bear children to more than one man, and moved freely around in public. Plato thus went one step more and wrote that women do not bear children until the age of twenty (Pomeroy, 1975).

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1600
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