Women in the Greek Society

Women in the Greek Society

Introduction

While men in Ancient Greece got to be involved in public events, watch the Olympics, be engaged in politics, experience a lot of freedom, and receive education, women in Athens and Sparta were obligated to stay and be responsible for a lot of work in the household. Although they did not get to do as much as the men did in their time, they still played an important influence in affecting the men and society in Ancient Greece. Their involvement in society pertaining to the state and within their own household was very important. Without women, civilization would collapse especially since they are important for the life of the family, and for passing on wealth to all generations. (Macdonald, 21)

Importance of Women in Greek Society

The importance of women differed in different parts of Ancient Greece. With the exception of Spartan women, most other Greek women were not equals with men. People often had different views about women in ancient Greece. Myths often pictured women being dangerous and unpredictable. Some women knew how to read and write but were not educated outside their home. Some people viewed women's literature as being unimportant and were not valued to the rest of society. (Macdonald, 9) Others saw that women were important for bearing children and producing future citizens of Greece. Women had a low amount of freedom and laws restricted them from going out much. Spartan women, however, had a good level of equality with men that other Greek women did not have, with a lot of important roles that were expected from them, giving them a lot more freedom compared to other Greek women. Spartan women were granted a lot more freedom mostly because the men were usually out serving the state or were with other men, leaving the women home to do whatever they wanted to do.

Not only did men see women as being dangerous, they believed they were inferior and different. (Macdonald, 21) A Greek male writer once said, "It is more appropriate for a woman to remain at home and not be out of doors." (38) Most women were left confined in their homes, watched by their kyrios, or their male guardian. Women were always being watched very carefully because men were afraid that their wife or daughter would find a lover and have children without knowing the father. Another writer, named Simonides once said women were "represented by forces of chaos." (Ancient Athenian Women) Even though men thought of women this way, they still admired them for their attractiveness, charm, housekeeping, and motherly skills. Aristotle once said, "A woman is... an imperfect male. She is female because her body is not properly male." (Macdonald, 18) Respectable women in ancient Greece were covered in clothes from head to toe without showing off so much skin. Historians believed it was because they saw the woman's body being abnormal. Also, Greeks preferred a pale skin tone and they thought that was more attractive than ...