Ancient Greek marriage Flashcards
ideal marriage/ joys and benefits of a marriage
Outline an ancient greek marriage
It was usually an arranged (at a symposium) marriage.
The opinions of the man and the woman were taken into consideration but it was ultimately the fathers desicion.
Explain the conditions of an ancient greek marriage
The woman would go to live with he husband. This was for procreation and control.
The man would give the woman’s family a dowery.
The woman would marry as a virgin to guarantee the paternity of any children.
She would be expected to produce a male heir, despite the dangers of repeated pregnancy.
Unwanted babies such as girls would be left outside to die - ‘exposure’ or killed
Explain the conditions of divorce for a greek man
If the man caught his wife cheating he had to divorce her and he had the legal right to kill the man she cheated with.
Explain the conditions of divorce for a greek woman
If the woman wanted a divorce she could go to court but the only reason could be for excessive adultery.
Explain the ancient greek’s view of sex
An ancient source suggests that a married couple should be having sex around 3 times a month for procreation but also health. They believed that intercourse was necessary to stop a woman’s womb from travelling around her body. If a womb wandered for too long, there was a danger that it would reach her brain and drive her mad.
outline the “joys and benefits” of marriage in ancient greece
Marriage was the key to ensuring that the regular intercourse deemed necessary for a woman’s health took place within a controlled environment. This would guarantee that the paternity of any child would be known to the civic authorities.
Some ancient writers talk of marriage being a partnership, and the conversations between Penelope and Odysseus and Hector and Andromache suggests that a close relationship could be expected. There is also evidence to suggest that a woman’s contribution to the oikos was valued by her husband
part of the joys and benefits of an ancient greek marriage
Why was guaranteed paternity so important in ancient greece
Pericles’ citizenship law in 451 BCE stated that a baby born in Athens would only be considered a citizen of the city if both his father and mother were Athenian citizens
Why was marriage important to discuss in literature
Other than observing their parents, much of a greek child’s formative understanding of what to expect from a marriage would come from the Homeric epics.
Outline some characteristics of Hector and Andromache’s marriage and what they mean
- loyal to each other
- His duty to defend his family, a fighter
- He has a child, importantly a son
- Andromache takes care of the home
They are loyal and take on traditional roles
Outline some characteristics of Penelope and Odysseus’ marriage and what they mean
- Penelope waits 20 years for Odysseus - loyal
- Odysseus slays every suitor - defends her
- stayed married apart for 20 years - loyalty
- While Odysseus sleeps with other people this is not adultery as men are the exeption
- While Penelope let suitors take over her house, she fended off their advances and she was just being a good host and showing Xenia.
They are loyal and take on traditional roles
