WOMEN

Question 1

Introduction

Answer 1

Women were often excluded from many areas of Greek life - military, politics - however, religion - they had more freedom and influence but that does not mean that their experience of religion was the same In this essay we will look at festivals, deities and religious authority to argue..

Question 2

FESTIVALS

Answer 2

Evidence: Eleusinian Mysteries - mixed - Red figure Ninnion tablet (c. 400 - 300 B.C.) Mixed worshippers can take part - tablet shows unity between men and women - worshipping female goddesses Analysis: At times - same experience

Evidence: Panathenaia - Parthenon frieze (included) however, they are not citizens and they have a different level of importance and participation Katherine Neale: (Panathenaic procession) “the privileged status of the Athenian male citizen” was “clearly visible in this procession”

Evidence: Panhellenic - Games - women cannot compete, they cannot act in dramatic competitions and debate over being spectators

Evidence: Festivals - just for women - Thesmophoria and the Festival of Artemis at Brauron. Female bonding and community but it highlights the differences between experiences of men and women Analysis: Festivals show that men and women experience religion differently - citizenship, how festivals are organized and because of their position in society

Question 3

PRIESTS/PRIESTESSES

Answer 3

men have power through religion but women do as well - same

Evidence: Male priests - priests of Asclepius, priests at Olympia and Archon Basileus - all important

Evidence: Pythia - female - one of the most known and revered - travel from all over the Greek world to seek her help - power and influence •

Red figure kylix (c. 440 - 430 B.C.) - modest and respected

Scholarship: Chaniotis - priests/priestesses: ‘when priests or priestesses are honoured, they are honoured for their ritual activities’ - honoured based on their service to the gods - not gender

Analysis: Powerful female priestess - unbalanced - men have a greater influence - Only men were allowed to consult the oracle

Question 4

GODS/GODDESSES - SIMILAR

Answer 4

Evidence: Women could look up to Athena (patron of Athens) - powerful, fighter, war goddess • Key patron in the Odyssey Artemis - hunter • Both take part in activities that ordinary women wouldn’t • Aspirational

Counter =

Evidence: Athena must respect Poseidon (Book 1 Odyssey) Family hierarchy - Zeus at the top

Analysis: Myths and gods affirm that men are in charge - women do have role models but their real lives cannot mirror the goddesses and their freedom

Question 5

Religious authority - not the same

Answer 5

Evidence: Athens - key religious figures are men
Athens - three archons
Archon Basileus - religious leader
Eponymous Archon - year named after - civic religion
War Archon - polemarch - military cults

Women in Athens - part of the Panathenaia
Panathenaia - hold key roles - answer to men
- The arrēphoroi
- Grinder
- Basket-bearer

Eleusinian Mysteries - female goddesses
Men are overseeing the festival
Analysis: Men have much more religious authority

Question 6

Conclusion: It was not the same

Answer 6

• Female goddesses
• Female focused festivals
• Powerful priestesses
Religious authority remained with men - society - women had a lower social status