Female Emancipation in Ancient History PDF

# Section 1 | Thematic Paths ## UNIT 1 ## FEMALE EMANCIPATION ### 1 Women in ancient history In the ancient and medieval world, women living in Europe, the Middle East and most of Africa, did not have the same legal and political rights as men and were under the control of fathers and husbands in...

# Section 1 | Thematic Paths ## UNIT 1 ## FEMALE EMANCIPATION ### 1 Women in ancient history In the ancient and medieval world, women living in Europe, the Middle East and most of Africa, did not have the same legal and political rights as men and were under the control of fathers and husbands in almost all societies. In **ancient Egypt**, women enjoyed the same rights as men: their rights depended on their social class, not on their sex. All landed property descended in the female line, from mother to daughter: a woman had the right to **manage** her property and use it as she wished. She could buy, sell property, be a partner in legal contracts, be an executor and **witness** to legal acts, bring an action in **court**, and adopt children in her name. In short, an ancient Egyptian woman enjoyed a higher social position than many women in other societies, both ancient and modern. Women in the **ancient Greek world** didn't have many rights in comparison to male citizens. They were unable to vote, own land, or **inherit**. A woman's place was in the home and her purpose in life was the education of children. In spite of this, Spartan women were treated differently: for example, they had to do physical training like men, they were allowed to **own** land, and could drink wine. In **Ancient Rome**, in the beginning, women had no rights. Over time, things changed. During the 500 years that Rome was a Republic, Roman women could go to the ### GLOSSARY * **Clergy:** the collective body of men and women ordained as religious ministers, especially of the Christian Church * **Court:** a place where legal justice is administered * **Inherit (to):** take or receive (property, etc.) that is left to one after the death of someone or by someone's will, as an heir * **Manage (to):** to take charge of * **Nun:** a woman who is a member of a religious order, especially one who observes vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience * **Own (to):** possess * **Peasant:** a member of a class of small farmers of low social rank * **Witness:** a person who attests to the genuineness of a document