Women in the home

Question 1

duties of an Athenian Kyria

Answer 1

• not to involve herself in the public spheres of politics, war or religion
• most important role was to produce a male songs be the heir of the kyrios
• responsible for the smooth running of the household
• make cloth by hand to help increase households wealth

Question 2

restrictions the kyria had

Answer 2

• was not allowed to leave the house alone
• laws limit how much money she can spend when out
• not allowed to buy or sell land
• cannot personally own property of any really value
• not allowed to attend symposium

Question 3

Adultery and divorce in Athens

Answer 3

• if man caught wife, he was allowed to kill her lover or he would be largely fined and/or publicly humiliated
• husband kept dowery
• woman would be barred from joining religious festivals
• men were free to engage in sexual activity outside their marriage

Question 4

duties of female slaves in Athens

Answer 4

• domestic slaves were managed by the kyria, often used to run errands for the kyria
• answer the door
• supervise children
• collect water
• prostitution

Question 5

duties of a Spartan wife

Answer 5

• able to bear healthy and vigorous babies until she was no longer fertile
• responsible for management of kleros
• expected to send their sons to agoge at 7 years old

Question 6

freedoms of a Spartan wife

Answer 6

• allowed to inherit property, including land, from their fathers
• wealthy and powerful so could decided how to spend this wealth themselves
• weren’t expected to work wool or stay inside

Question 7

duties of a Roman Matrona

Answer 7

• expected to have children to ensure continuation of the household
• poorer would have to cook, clean, spin and weave wool and look after children
• wealthy would have many slaves to help with tasks and able to spend time in leisure
• organise dinners parties (and was able to attend)
• present herself well

Question 8

restrictions of a Roman Matrona

Answer 8

• not allowed to sell property, free a slave or bring a lawsuit to court
• could not make a will or sign contracts

Question 9

freedoms of a Roman Matrona

Answer 9

• able to spend time reading books, visiting friends, keeping up with politics
• not restricted from leaving the house
• allowed to attend public games, festivals and the theatre
• could take leading roll in managing public affairs and businesses when husband was away
• allowed to own property or land

Question 10

divorce in Rome

Answer 10

• easy to organise
• man kept custody of any children
• if man initiated divorce, woman was entitled to her own dowry back
• more complicated if woman initiated divorce
• adultery and infertility were common reasons for divorce

Question 11

adultery in Rome

Answer 11

• Roman men were free to have sexual partners other than their wives (had to be of certain social class)
• if woman found having affair with slave, she would be killed and slave burned alive

Question 12

duties of female slaves in Rome

Answer 12

• some forced into prostitution and others did skilled labour
• slave children sometimes educated to help manage family’s affairs
• vilica was responsible for management of household, jobs included grinding flour, preserving fruit and cooking food

Question 13

why was it important to produce children?

Answer 13

• the family and household could perpetuate itself

- provides an heir

Question 14

What was the Hegeso Stele?

Answer 14

• a stone slab showing Hegeso seated inside
• she is heavily draped and has an elaborate hairstyle
• shows she is modest, elegant