Women In Ancient Greece

Words: 1094
Pages: 5

During the fifth century Greece had a period of outstanding achievements, in Athens, also known as the birthplace of Democracy, its economy and culture were rapidly developing. The traditional beliefs that remained in society, despite the rise to regional superiority, set the boundaries for the expected behavior of both men and women. Although women held a certain amount of power and control in both archaic and classical Greece. Women in archaic greece, or period right after the dark ages, were counted as citizens in every aspect of the culture socially, politically, and religiously which granted them the security of the justice system recently put in place. The legal protection extended against being kidnapped and taken into slavery also …show more content…
Respect was earned through their roles in family and religion, “Bearing children in marriage earned women status because it was literally the source of family--the heart of Greek society”(Hunt.pg87). Childbirth was extremely dangerous in this time period therefore the ability to bore multiple children brought honor to families. “In Medea, a play of 431 BCE by Euripides, the heroine shouts in anger at her husband, who has selfishly betrayed her: “People say that we women lead a safe life at home, while men have to go to war. What fools they are! I would much rather fight in battle three times than give birth to a child even once.”(Hunt.88). The dedication these women had to their families, husbands, and duty is outstanding. They are almost forced to risk everything for the basis of Athenian society, family. There was an intense pressure on the women to produce sons because the rights to property and continuing the lineage of the bloodline can only be done with male supervision. There was once a rumor that women would smuggle in male babies born to slaves and try to pass them off as their own. Bringing male children into the world meant for security and many other new freedoms given to the mothers. It increased their freedom, power, and respect they were given. Although tradition still stood in the way …show more content…
Although during this time men were expected to support and respect their wives’ opinions or choices, made within the basis of the law obviously. Together as a couple they both were expect to partners in the financial decisions of their ownership and managing the property they owned. The two most profound traditions for the patriarchal dominated society was to continue the male bloodline in the family for as long as possible and holding onto family property, only passing it down through male heirs. This also affected the restricted movement the women had as mentioned before. “Men wanted to ensure that their children were truly theirs, and that the city had only legitimate citizens”(Hunt.90). It was also claimed that restricted movement protected the women from rapists and seducers, so ultimately in the opinion of the male citizens they were doing a service for their wives, sisters, and mothers. Even with all of these expectations and rules in place men still held women in high regards because the exceptional toughness they must possess to not only become a mother but to also raise strong, wise, and intelligent children. “Therefore, should anyone put down women? Won’t these men stop their empty fault- finding, the ones who strongly believe that all women should be blamed if a single one is found to be bad? I will make a distinction with the following argument: nothing is