Ancient Greek Society: Roles of Men and Women in Athens

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What was the primary role of men in ancient Athens?

To take care of the household chores

To supervise slaves and raise children

To provide money, food, and a home for their family (correct)

To weave cloth and make clothes

What was the restriction on wealthy women in Athens?

They were not allowed to leave their homes without a male escort (correct)

They were not allowed to own property

They were not allowed to participate in politics

They were not allowed to work outside the home

What was the main occupation of most women in ancient Athens?

Teaching

Supervising slaves and raising children (correct)

Trading

Farming

Who had more freedom and independence in ancient Athens?

Poor women Signup and view all the answers

What was unique about female priestesses in ancient Athens?

They were respected and had power over religion and politics Signup and view all the answers

What did female priestesses in ancient Athens often own?

Property Signup and view all the answers

What was the social status of most women in ancient Athens?

Not well-regarded Signup and view all the answers

What was an exception to the limited freedom of women in ancient Athens?

Female priestesses Signup and view all the answers

What was the typical age for girls to get married in ancient Athens?

13 or 14 years old Signup and view all the answers

What subjects did boys learn in school in ancient Athens?

Literature, arithmetic, boxing, and athletics Signup and view all the answers

Why were women excluded from symposiums in ancient Athens?

They had no political rights Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of teaching boys boxing, wrestling, and athletics in ancient Athens?

To make them physically fit Signup and view all the answers

What did wealthier men do during their leisure time in ancient Athens?

They attended symposiums Signup and view all the answers

Why didn't all men participate in symposiums in ancient Athens?

They were not wealthy enough Signup and view all the answers

What did girls typically do during their leisure time in ancient Athens?

They stayed at home and socialised with female friends Signup and view all the answers

Who entertained the guests at symposiums in ancient Athens?

Female slaves Signup and view all the answers

What was the main purpose of women in ancient Athens?

To bear children and raise them Signup and view all the answers

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 Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of men in ancient Athens?

They were in charge and controlled the lives of their female relatives Signup and view all the answers

Why did the ancient Greeks believe men were more capable intellectually than women?

Because men were physically stronger than women Signup and view all the answers

What was the profession of Elena Malus?

Historian and archaeologist Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the interview with Elena Malus?

To learn more about the roles of men and women in ancient Athens Signup and view all the answers

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 Signup and view all the answers

What is the main idea of the interview with Elena Malus?

To learn about the daily lives of people in ancient Athens Signup and view all the answers

What was a common trait among those who were not considered citizens in Athens?

They were not male or Greek Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant factor in determining the lifestyle of people in Athens?

Their social status and wealth Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary criterion for being considered a citizen in Athens?

Being a Greek Signup and view all the answers

What was a limitation faced by male slaves and non-Greeks in Athens?

They could not contribute to political discussions Signup and view all the answers

What was the topic of discussion in the podcast?

The roles of men and women in Athens Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the podcast series?

Ancient Times Signup and view all the answers

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.

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.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore the roles and expectations of men and women in ancient Athens with historian and archaeologist Elena Malus.