Men and Women in ancient Greece

Question 1

What was expected of men in ancient greece

Answer 1

1. provide wealth for their oikos
2. to participate in the assembly
3. To serve as a soldier to protect his community
4. to behave in a moderate manner

Question 2

define oikos

Answer 2

the oikos was the ancient greek household; this would include not only the family and slaves but also property and possessions.

pl. oikoi

Question 3

What does it mean to participate in the assembly

Answer 3

Participating in the assembly was the criteria for citizenship. Women could not vote and were therefore not considered citizens.
If a man did not participate in the assembly he was ostrasised

Question 4

explain what the assembly was

Answer 4

The assembly was a gathering where all male Athenian citizens over the age of 20 could vote on matters affecting the state

In the 5th century BCE they met once a month (10 x a year). Then in teh 4th century BCE this went up to 4 times a month.

Question 5

explain what it meant for a greek man to serve as a soldier in ancient greece

Answer 5

One of their expectations was to serve as a soldier to protect his community.
Military service was compulsory for all able-bodied citizen men from age 20-60 depending on physical health.

Question 6

explain what it means for a man to behave in a moderate manner in ancient greece

Answer 6

It meant not engaging in excess and keeping his emotions in check

Question 7

explain who was an kyrios and what role they had

Answer 7

the kyrios was the head of an ancient greek oikos. He was responsible for the women, children and unmarried females in the oikos

pl. kyrioi

Question 8

Explain divorce for an ancient greek marriage

Answer 8

Divorce for a man was reatively easy, whereas a woman would need her father or guardian to agree to take her back and provide financial security. The husband would have to surrender the dowry he was given but could keep all the children that resulted from the marriage. The kyrios would decide whether to keep any children born to his wife.

Question 9

What was expected of women in ancient greece

Answer 9

1. fertility
2. fidelity
3. beauty
4. skills to run the oikos

Question 10

Explain why fertility and fidelity were expected of a woman in ancient greece

Answer 10

She was expected to be fertile to guarantee a male heir for her kyrios.
She was expected to be loyal to her husband to guarantee the heir was legitimate.

Question 11

what is meant by beautiful for women in ancient greece

Answer 11

Homer often uses the epithet “white-armed” when describing beautiful women - they are women who do not spend much time outside in teh hot greek sun then are inside running the household not working the fields.

Question 12

explain the woman’s role in running the oikos

Answer 12

She was expected to take care of day-to-day administration of the oikos, under the close supervision of her husband. This would involve controlling the income of the oikos, organising teh slaves who worked inside and outside teh oikos, working wool and raising children.

Question 13

explain a woman’s status in an ancient greek oikos

Answer 13

A free greek girl would be married as an arragement. She would therefore arrive in her new home as the only outsider. Her status was conflicted because she would be relied upon to maintain the family line but as an outsider could not be fully trusted within the oikos. Therefore she was closely monitored by the kyrios

Question 14

Explain a woman’s status in society in ancient greece

Answer 14

Women weren’t meant to have any power economically, they owned property only temporarily i.e. when they were widowed, but they would then be under the guardianship of their closest male relative.