Roman Gender Roles

Greek and Roman Gender Roles
Jaime Aguero
Hum 100 June 19, 2012
Sherna Armstrong

Greek and Roman Gender Roles Gender roles always have been an important topic throughout history, especially in the ancient Greek and Roman time’s genders played an important role. Males dominated all aspects of government and women were treated as subjects rather than a person. Greek and Roman times do not differ on how a person’s gender determined what he or she could do, for except in Roman times women had more rights. In the ancient Greek period women did not have much say in any government aspects. The democratic government was made up on only men. Women could not own or even stay in the same quarters as a male figure. The roman male figure
during this time was considering superior to anyone. Women did not qualify as citizenry in the Greek culture only males over the age of 18 that owned land were considered citizens. They could neither own nor inherit property under any circumstance. During the Greek Olympic Games women were not permitted to compete or observe, but they could host their own games. In these games they were allowed to pull hair and bend fingers, but not break them. Also during these times women sculptures were always clothed and never appeared nude. In the Roman period women still did not have many more rights than in the Greek period.
In this century men had mistresses and prostitutes, and it was not considered anything out of the ordinary. Also infidelity and divorce among married women was then common. They could still not vote or hold any government office positions. However, in this time period they did have a little more freedom. They could live in the same quarters as male figures and even own property. Women were also allowed to manage their very own legal affairs. Young girls of this period were allowed to be educated alongside the boys; most of the female middle class could read and write. Women of this period had much influence on their husbands and sons, and often shaped matter of succession and politics in her way. Women also held jobs during this time period. They worked in textile and food production, prostitution, and even held positions as musicians, painters, priestesses, midwives, and gladiators. Later female fighting was banned by Emperor Septimius Severus because it was affronting military dignity. During this time period statues of women were depicted in the nude for the first time. Doing so also established a model for the ideal nude female of that time. The ideal figure was tall and poised with small breasts, and broad
hips. During the modern time of today women’s role have advanced a lot.
Male and females are considered more equal than they have before. Women are more independent and don’t rely on someone else to give them permission to do certain activities or go to places. Even now you see some male figures even stay at home and do the entire house work, while the female works and brings home a paycheck. Women now have the right to vote. Also they may find a job that she now finds to her liking and not one that she is restricted to. There are many females that have high government jobs. For instance Condoleezza Rice was the first female to be Secretary of State, which is a very high position in the United States government. Even at one point in the United States there was an opportunity for a female to take on one of the most revered leadership roles, President of the United States. Today divorce and infidelity is as common and seen in a similar way as it was in the Roman period. Now men and women both compete at the world Olympic Games. Women are now are as successful as men out in the work
field. In conclusion gender roles have come a long way. During the Greek and Roman times women faced much adversity. Both male and female are now more equal than back in the Greek and Roman time periods. Both genders now share responsibilities and not one is above the other. Women are no longer subjected to doing what they do not want.