Women In Ancient Greek Society
Essay: Question #2
The treatment and stigma towards women is constantly evolving. It varies from country to country, and it changing even today. As war driven cultures started to take over, freedom and respect for women decreased in ancient societies. Their freedom, rights, and societal status were ever changing in history. For this paper, the focus will be on the Ancient Minoa, Classical Athens, and the Roman Empire.
Women rarely had freedom in the ancient societies. In the Minoa culture, women were considered equal, or even above men, in society, which was rare for the ancient civilizations, and resulted in their significant freedom. In contrast, in the Athens women were almost social outcasts. They were excluded from public affairs, the …show more content…
In the Roman Empire, women supervised the household, and also could inherit property. Although they were greatly confined to domestic duties, they had limited freedom, depending on the husband. In the Athens, the only freedom the women had was the domestic duties. They lived in buildings separate from their husband, and could not even eat meals with them. This is very different from the Minoans civilization. They worshipped many female gods, which resulted in them having a great respect for the women of their societies. The women were equals with men, and had a great amount of freedom.
The societal status of women was ever evolving in the ancient societies. In the Athens, nearly all the women were married. However, they rarely spent time with their husbands. Instead, their husbands would go to hired foreign women entertainers. These women were much more respected than the legitimate women citizens. In the Roman Empire, women had the right to divorce her husband. Upon his death, she would inherit his property, and could live her life as she pleased. In the Minoans civilization, the women were freer when it came to marriage, and it was not necessary required of …show more content…
Or, some sort of religiously inspired building. This was ringing a bell in my mind… If only I had paid more attention in humanities class! As I leave the building, I faintly hear what sounds like violin music. Very impressive display of ability. A virtuosic concerto, I mumble to myself.
As I wander through town, I am ridiculously disoriented. But, that does not stop me from taking in the incredible art that is all around me. I see amazing paintings, and heard some form of opera. The paintings are almost heavenly, depicting stories of life and death, conflict and peace. Wherever I am, they have an undeniable appreciation for the beautiful. And that is when it finally clicked!
Somehow, I had ended up in the Baroque era. How did it take me so long to figure it out? The art, the buildings, the music - it should have been obvious. This was an era of art appreciation, and beauty. I am pretty lucky to get this first person taste of it. Vivaldi could be just around the corner, for all I know. But, I probably should figure out how to get home, and soon too… Otherwise I will be late for
The treatment and stigma towards women is constantly evolving. It varies from country to country, and it changing even today. As war driven cultures started to take over, freedom and respect for women decreased in ancient societies. Their freedom, rights, and societal status were ever changing in history. For this paper, the focus will be on the Ancient Minoa, Classical Athens, and the Roman Empire.
Women rarely had freedom in the ancient societies. In the Minoa culture, women were considered equal, or even above men, in society, which was rare for the ancient civilizations, and resulted in their significant freedom. In contrast, in the Athens women were almost social outcasts. They were excluded from public affairs, the …show more content…
In the Roman Empire, women supervised the household, and also could inherit property. Although they were greatly confined to domestic duties, they had limited freedom, depending on the husband. In the Athens, the only freedom the women had was the domestic duties. They lived in buildings separate from their husband, and could not even eat meals with them. This is very different from the Minoans civilization. They worshipped many female gods, which resulted in them having a great respect for the women of their societies. The women were equals with men, and had a great amount of freedom.
The societal status of women was ever evolving in the ancient societies. In the Athens, nearly all the women were married. However, they rarely spent time with their husbands. Instead, their husbands would go to hired foreign women entertainers. These women were much more respected than the legitimate women citizens. In the Roman Empire, women had the right to divorce her husband. Upon his death, she would inherit his property, and could live her life as she pleased. In the Minoans civilization, the women were freer when it came to marriage, and it was not necessary required of …show more content…
Or, some sort of religiously inspired building. This was ringing a bell in my mind… If only I had paid more attention in humanities class! As I leave the building, I faintly hear what sounds like violin music. Very impressive display of ability. A virtuosic concerto, I mumble to myself.
As I wander through town, I am ridiculously disoriented. But, that does not stop me from taking in the incredible art that is all around me. I see amazing paintings, and heard some form of opera. The paintings are almost heavenly, depicting stories of life and death, conflict and peace. Wherever I am, they have an undeniable appreciation for the beautiful. And that is when it finally clicked!
Somehow, I had ended up in the Baroque era. How did it take me so long to figure it out? The art, the buildings, the music - it should have been obvious. This was an era of art appreciation, and beauty. I am pretty lucky to get this first person taste of it. Vivaldi could be just around the corner, for all I know. But, I probably should figure out how to get home, and soon too… Otherwise I will be late for