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
This man was required to give her a dowry and then arrange for her marriage, usually a marriage that would in some way benefit him. The wives were expected to produce citizens for their husbands, preferably male. '" The scrutiny she would endure, as a result of doing something so nonchalant to modern society as opening her front door is very difficult for us to comprehend. The hetairai were the highest on the social scale of prostitutes, the word actually means, "companions to men", which is ironic because they were not wives. "Women's work was productive, but because it was the same as slaves work, it was not highly valued. Men utilized the domestic skills of women but still thought of them as inferior. Women could get a loan from a client and then pay it off with what she made as a free prostitute. What happened to them was inconsequential. A husband normally addresses his wife as "woman. "The husband who takes his wife in adultery must divorce her. " Sophocles, Fragment 583 from terus. " Wives are not allowed to leave the house and any work will be done within the house along with the slaves. Usually most beneficial to the male's in the bride's life. saying she addresses those who pass on the street, or that she answers the door by herself, or that she talks with men, are all roughly equivalent to saying 'this house is simply a brothel.
Common topics in this essay:
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,
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Acceptance Essays
