Women in the home (Greece) Flashcards
Pericles’ Funeral Oration from Thucydides Quote about women
“The greatest glory will be hers who is least talked among the men whether for good or for bad.”
Analysis of “the greatest glory will be hers who is least talked among men whether for good or for bad.”
- a good woman should never attract attention to herself
- not to be discussed about for misbehaving/ being praised
- not to be celebrated
- always in the background
What was expected of a Parthenos?
- girl up to the age of 14
- unmarried virgin
- obeying the kyrios (father)
- learning domestic skills from mother
What is a nymphe?
- woman who haven’t given birth
- wasn’t considered as full grown woman
What is a gyne?
- a married woman who has produced a living child
- produce male heirs for kyrios to pass on his wealth to
- wealth is given to male relative if there are no heirs
Describe the Grave Stele of Ampharete
c.400BC
- marble relief sculpture of a woman holding a baby with her gaze looking down at it, heavily draped.
Analysis of the Grave stele of Ampharete
- introverted gaze on baby (no eye contact with viewer)
- staying faithful to husband + family
- not to catch anybody else’s attention
- veiled to the feet, modestly dressed
- Wore a chiton
- woman’s greatest achievement was having children and grandchildren, representation of an ideal woman
- might be commissioned by family to impress others- reflects well on her family, respectable
- public display -> reflects her good reputation on her husband
What were some images associated with women?
- herons- common pets, suggests that images are taking place at home
- images of motherhood
- weaving + spinning - viewed as feminine tasks, virtuous
usually on objects that women use in daily life, eg lekythos
How was infertility viewed in Athens?
- always the woman’s fault, did not believe in male infertility
- a source of anxiety for women
- was not considered full grown woman if you didn’t give birth
- pressure from society
- black market for male babies
What was the role of the kyria in the domestic economy in the home?
- going to water supply (fountain/ well)
- may meet/ talk to other women (enjoyable?)
- make sure that oikos (household) is supplied with food + drink
- contribute to self-sufficiancy by baking bread + weaving textiles for family members to wear + blankets
What power did the kyria have over the slaves?
- in charge of slaves in household
- job is to train + manage slaves
- teaching them useful domestic skills in rich households
What did women do when there was a symposium (drinking party)?
- decorate andron for symposium
- men hired prostitues
- went back to gynaikion at the back of the house
- women never allowed to attend
What was the importance of the Gynaikion?
- women had to pass the men’s room to get out of the house
- chaperoned, unless if they are poor
Quotes from the Oeconomius, Xenophon
“For the wife it is more noble to remain inside than outdoors”
describe duties of a woman, resource distribution, production of textiles, and taking care of the ill
What is the general concept of a divorce in Athens?
- men expels wife from home to get divorce
- woman has to go to the agora to meet an archon we would record the rquest formally
- this can be stopped with force from the kyrios
- she will return to the guardianship of the kyrios
