The women og Greece A transition from Ancient Power to Classical Subservient Weakness
A Transition from Ancient Power to Classical SubservienceWomen's conquest for political and socialfreedom is a battle that has gone on for centuries. Perhaps the breaking point in women'sliberation was the Women's Movement of the 1900's, which encouraged women all overAmerica 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, holdpolitical positions, and play professional sports, as well as a wide array of other privilegesenjoyed by men. Unfortunately, these civil rights have not been made available to In some cultures, especially those of the Middle East, women havegained little if any rights at all since the societies of the past. In Greece, an almostopposite effect can be seen in its history in which women in their country went frombeing recognized as equals and above, to becoming a much weaker sex. This oddtransition of status of Greek women is evident through the art, mythology, and philosophyof a much older Greece. Thus dominant role of women portrayed in Ancient Greekmythology and artwork is in direct contrast to the more subservient
She was a fearless warrior, anexcellent spinner and weaver, and overall an all powerful woman (Larrington 68). Thereis a plethora of evidence showing a stronger, more respected woman than that of theClassical period in Greece. In ancient Greece, women possessed more of a dominance and strength than thewomen of the Classical period, which is illustrated throughout the artwork. In the beginning of this era, Greecefought in the Peloponnesian War in 431 B. For such a symbolic figure, it isstrange to have chosen a female for the subject, unless women were interpreted asimportant figures at the time. Mahaffy when he states: "This equality upon the position of women isobvious. Women were able to hold political positions, possess land, and overall enjoy amajority of the same rights that a man had. that the education of women was necessary, oncondition that it be limited to 'what it is necessary to run a household; further instructionwould just make them lazy, more talkative, and indiscreet'" (qtd. These monsters are vivid symbols of powerful, dominant women ofthe Archaic era in Greece. By comparing art from thedifferent eras, a great contrast is shown between the Archaic period in which women arepowerful enough to portray creatures that are feared, and the Classical period in which thecreatures are male or very timid, young girls. The two sirens dwelled in the seaand sang an irresistible song that attracted sailors, which then caused them to crash on therocks (Larrington 87). On the red-figured calyx-krater (a large open-topped vase),attributed to the Niobid Painter, men and women are not only fighting together but arealso dying side by side on the battlefield, which is extremely symbolic of equality (seePlate 5).
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Acceptance Essays
