GODDESSES
In ancient Greece and Rome it was common to believe in different Gods and Goddesses. A Goddess is a female deity. Deities were believed to be holy, divine, sacred, and often times immortal. There are many associations with Goddesses, but the more common associations were Earth, Household, Mother, and Love. People would prey to Goddesses for things they lacked in their life. They may prey for their children, love, and even beauty.
* Aphrodite: Goddess of love, **EasterEgg**, and beauty.
* Artemis: Goddess of the moon, fertility, and childbirth.
* Athena: Goddess of wisdom and war.
* Eris: Goddess of chaos
* Hera: Goddess of family and marriage.
* Images of Women and goddesses
EDUCATION
While boys were allowed to learn in school, the women of ancient Greece were often educated at home by their husbands or brothers. Women were not allowed to spend a lot of time pursuing their education as they were needed to support their men and take care of the home. They had to be educated somewhat to help educate their children. The Hetaera, a group of women trained as prostitutes, were educated outside the home on things like entertaining and conversation. They were meant to sit and have conversations with men during long food festivals and therefore needed to have a higher education. While a woman's education was limited there were things they were allowed to learn.
* Education of Women in Ancient Greece
* Ancient Greece for Kids
* The Hetaira
MARRIAGE
The singles life wasn't accepted for woman in ancient Greece and Rome. Marriage was arranged by the parents of the bride and groom. A financial contribution or dowery was made by the bride's father. Women married between the ages of 14-18 and were raised to obey their husbands. Wives weren't fully accepted by their husband's family until a child was conceived. Weddings consisted of rituals, were not resided over by priests, and were completed in three parts; pre-wedding ceremonies, the wedding itself, and post wedding ceremonies.
* Marriages in Ancient Greece
* Ancient Greek Wedding
* Marriage and Funeral Rights in Athens
* The Women of Athens
* The Average Roman Housewife
* The Julian Marriage Laws
PRIVATE LIFE
The private life of married women was based around their household and the wishes of their husband. Their job was to raise their kids and tend to the house, the needs of her husband, and the make sure the slaves are doing what they should be. It was rare that a wealthy women ever left the house, they sent slaves to the market and lived in a special part of the house. Their children lived with them until the age of 7. Their role was to raise the children and tend to the various household chores while instructing daughters on how to run a household, all the while staying out of sight.
* Aristotle, on a Good Wife
* Roman Women, Marriage and Children
* Family Values in Ancient Rome
PUBLIC LIFE
The public lives of women were determined by the type of women they were. Married women were allowed to associate with other women but never men. The non-married women played a huge part in society. It was believed that wives were there to bare legitimate children and keep the house, but the women like the heteras, were like call girls and were their to entertain the men. Ancient Greece was a time before dating services, but it was full of brothels. While they did have sex occasionally with the men, women like the heteras had other duties as well.
* Women in Classical Greece
* Women in Classical Athens
* Daily Women's Life
LEGAL STATUS
The legal status of women in ancient Greece and Rome was practically non-existant. From the time they were born women were owned. They were owned first by their father and then by their husband. Women were not allowed to sue people, be in government, or even own houses.
* Spartan Women
* Spartan Women in the Spotlight
* Women and Politics in Ancient Rome
MEN'S OPINIONS
The man's opinion was what mattered in ancient Greece and Rome. Their role was to run the government, among other various jobs. Men believed that wives should be seen and not heard. They often kept separate rooms in the house because male visitors weren't allowed in the rooms where the families regularly were. Their opinions about women were the only opinions that mattered and often times women were treated no better than a domestic slave.
* Aristotles theory of the nature women
* Valerius Maximus' examples of womanly virtue
* Aristotles on Spartan Women
OCCUPATIONS
The non-married women had occupations. Those occupations almost always involved entertaining. While some were slaves, most women were prostitutes. The hetaeras were a step up from regular prostitutes as they were also trained in dance and conversation. While prostitution was the main occupation for women there were others as well. Some of these occupations were dancer, poet, midwife, or entertainer.
* Midwives and Birth in Ancient Rome
* Sex, Power, and Politics, Women in Ancient Rome
Origin: religion-events.blogspot.com
