30 Questions
What was the primary role of men in ancient Athens?
To provide money, food, and a home for their family
What was the restriction on wealthy women in Athens?
They were not allowed to leave their homes without a male escort
What was the main occupation of most women in ancient Athens?
Supervising slaves and raising children
Who had more freedom and independence in ancient Athens?
Poor women
What was unique about female priestesses in ancient Athens?
They were respected and had power over religion and politics
What did female priestesses in ancient Athens often own?
Property
What was the social status of most women in ancient Athens?
Not well-regarded
What was an exception to the limited freedom of women in ancient Athens?
Female priestesses
What was the typical age for girls to get married in ancient Athens?
13 or 14 years old
What subjects did boys learn in school in ancient Athens?
Literature, arithmetic, boxing, and athletics
Why were women excluded from symposiums in ancient Athens?
They had no political rights
What was the purpose of teaching boys boxing, wrestling, and athletics in ancient Athens?
To make them physically fit
What did wealthier men do during their leisure time in ancient Athens?
They attended symposiums
Why didn't all men participate in symposiums in ancient Athens?
They were not wealthy enough
What did girls typically do during their leisure time in ancient Athens?
They stayed at home and socialised with female friends
Who entertained the guests at symposiums in ancient Athens?
Female slaves
What was the main purpose of women in ancient Athens?
To bear children and raise them
According to Elena Malus, what was a theory behind why women had fewer rights in ancient Athens?
Women were compared to the animal kingdom, while men were compared to gods
What was the role of men in ancient Athens?
They were in charge and controlled the lives of their female relatives
Why did the ancient Greeks believe men were more capable intellectually than women?
Because men were physically stronger than women
What was the profession of Elena Malus?
Historian and archaeologist
What was the purpose of the interview with Elena Malus?
To learn more about the roles of men and women in ancient Athens
What is implied by the interviewer's statement 'I personally feel grateful that times have changed, or I wouldn’t be sitting here now'?
The interviewer is a woman who is grateful for the changes in women's rights
What is the main idea of the interview with Elena Malus?
To learn about the daily lives of people in ancient Athens
What was a common trait among those who were not considered citizens in Athens?
They were not male or Greek
What was a significant factor in determining the lifestyle of people in Athens?
Their social status and wealth
What was the primary criterion for being considered a citizen in Athens?
Being a Greek
What was a limitation faced by male slaves and non-Greeks in Athens?
They could not contribute to political discussions
What was the topic of discussion in the podcast?
The roles of men and women in Athens
What is the name of the podcast series?
Ancient Times
Study Notes
Roles of Men and Women in Ancient Athens
- Athenian men were in charge and controlled the lives of their sisters, daughters, and wives.
- Women had very few rights compared to men, and their main purpose was generally considered to be child-rearing.
Reasons Behind Limited Rights for Women
- One theory suggests that the Greeks believed men and women were different species, with men comparable to gods and women to the animal kingdom.
- Another idea suggests that it was based on their physiques, with Athenians believing men were physically stronger than women and therefore more capable intellectually.
Roles of Men and Women
- Men were responsible for providing money, food, and a home for their family.
- Men had a wide variety of jobs, including farming, trading, soldiering, teaching, and politics.
- Women stayed at home, supervising slaves, raising children, spinning thread, and weaving cloth.
- Wealthy women in Athens weren't even allowed outside without their husband's permission.
Exceptions to Women's Roles
- Poor women had to leave the house to work and earn money, so they may have had more freedom and independence.
- Female priestesses in the temples of Athens were treated very differently, with respect, power, and ownership of property.
Education and Leisure
- Boys went to school at around seven years old and learned about literature, arithmetic, and athletics.
- Few girls were taught to read or write, and many got married at a young age to a man chosen by their father.
- Men and women socialized separately, with women staying at home and men gathering for symposiums where they would drink wine and discuss politics and philosophy.
- Women were excluded from these events because they had no political rights, and their ideas were seen as irrelevant.
Social Status and Wealth
- Life wasn't equal for all men in Athens, with poor Greek men not having the time or money for entertainment.
- Male slaves and those who were not Greek weren't classed as citizens, so they couldn't contribute to political discussions.
- Status and wealth had a huge effect on the lifestyle of the people of Athens.
Explore the roles and expectations of men and women in ancient Athens with historian and archaeologist Elena Malus.
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