Sexuality and Gender in the Ancient Greek World

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  • Created by: Heather
  • Created on: 30-12-16 15:57
In the Mycenaean period, in terms of gender what do historians argue was established in small Stone Age villages?
Division of labour by gender and age and the dominance of males over females had been established,
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Although was there one position in the family that was dominant?
No, no individual was dominant, although temporary leadership was probably assumed by the man
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For the Dark Ages, the valuations of good and bad in respect to women and behaviour expected is determined by what?
The male ethic
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Within their communities, how are women regarded?
They are regarded with great respect from men,
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What is there little trace of in society about women, but where does it appear later?
There is little trace of misogyny, hatred for women, but it often appears in later literature,
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Who is Homer and how does he describe women and freedoms?
Homer is a writer from the 7th century BC, -He argues women had more social freedom than later periods.
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What does he argue women can freely do?
he argues women can go freely about the village and countryside and participate in festivals and religious events,
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However, what is their place in the political situation?
Women have no "political voice" but they are nevertheless part of "public opinion"
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What can women of high status households take part in with their husbands?
They can join the company of their husbands and the other men in the great hal after supper and take part in the conversation,
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What power does the wife of chief have?
The wife of a chief, especially a paramount chief, is held in high esteem and may even partake in her husband's authority,
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Give an example of a wife of a chief who partook in her husband's power?
Arete, the wife of Alcinous, the Basileus of the Phaecians, in the Odyssey
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In Homer, what are the roles that define a "good" woman?
Her domestic assignment as a housewife and mother,
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What skills and qualities are women honoured for?
Their beauty, skill and diligence in weaving, careful household management and good practical sense,
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Like men, were women compared with one another and on what basis?
Yes- Though only within the few areas of excellence allowed them,
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How are women expected to act in public and in front of men?
They are expected to be modest and chaste
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Were there concubines in society? If so how were they viewed?
Ys there were- They and adulterous women brought disgre and dishonour upon themselves and their families
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As in later Greece, who are women controlled by?
They are strictly controlled by their male relatives and husbands from birth to death,
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Why were women important in warfare?
They are the most valuable prizes of raid and war, due to their intrinsic value and capturing an enemy's women is an insult,
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However, give an example of a writer from the 7th century who is misogynistic?
Hesoid- Begins the attitude towards women in his poetry and presents them as second clas citizens,
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How does Greek mythology for the creation of women show women as evil?
"Her comes all the race of womankind"- Pandora is the first woman in Greek mythology. She has a jar, which is the Greek word for womb, and shows women are evil and their only hope or purpose it to have children,
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Therefore, how does Hesoid describe women?
As a different race and problematic,
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What was the role of slave women in society?
To increase man power in Homeric society, the heads of families were encouraged to beget children by slave women,
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Who didn't this take into account?
The wife and the friction it would cause between the two women,
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How were the children from this slave woman treated?
Any sons were inferior to those who would inherit, but they were otherwise full members of the family, and the females has the same status as their legitimate half-sisters,
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For the Archaic period and sexuality, what was the symposium?
It is a gathering of equals/ a warrior feast, usually aristocratic men where politics, military, loyalty and patronage as well as love and friendship would be discussed,
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Where do Historians argues this symposium idea came from?
Orientalising from the East,
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Who was the symposiarch or the one who organised the event? What was his role?
The Basileus, -They would decide the order of seating, talking topics of discussion, the entertainment and the strength of wine that evening,
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Where would it take place and what was it?
In the Andron, or the men's room
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Did the men have to do anything to enter the room?
There was a cleansing ritual before entering the room,
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Once the room was purified, what were the men given?
Religious garlands as they entered,
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Describe the layout of the room?
Suare, door off centre, 7-15 couches with 2 men per couch, low tables, mixing bowls, wine jug,
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How would the men sit?
They would recline on their left elbow, and their right hand would be left for drinking and playing,
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Were women tolerated in these rooms?
No women were allowed in, although slave girls were allowed to serve the drinks and act as prostitutes,
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Do any sexual activities occur?
Yes- There is alot of homosexual bonding occuring between the men,c
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For citizenship, where did women have an important role?
In religious festivals and worship in the community,
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However, what were women barred from?
They were bared from participation in political, judicial and military affairs,
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In Athens, were women considered citizens? Did this give them rights?
they were considered citizens but with none of the rights of men- They weren't allowed to vote or take part in legal processes, to suggest ways to improve society,
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What could happen to women to show their lack of power and influence?
They could be sold and given away like slaves,
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For the Classic period, whose laws were very repressive on Athens and when?
Solon's Laws in the 6th century
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How did Solon institutionalise prostitution?
Any woman who worked would be known as a prostitute as 'good' women should stay at home,
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What districts did he create for men who were single and what was his reasoning?
Red light districts, -He believed war was caused by a lack of women so this was to satisfy men and stop rifles,
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How did he regulate women's freedoms?
He regulated where women could walk, what they could wear and what they could eat in public,
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What is another law he created about the poor selling themselves?
He stopped the poor sellin themselves for debt- Free people couldnt enslave themselves or their childre,
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However, out of this law, what did he still allow men to do to women?
He still allowed unmaried women to be sold as slaves if they were no longer virgins,
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How did he change their education rights?
He decided their education was dependent on men and there was no expectation women should learn anything,
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When was the age of consent for women? Was it her consent?
12, -Her parents consent and they would decide her marriage,
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What was a woman's life expectancy and why?
Around 30, primarily due to childbirth as they were expected to produce babies constantly and as many as possible, especially due to the high infant morality rate,
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What was the role expected for women?
They were expected to stay at home, and work at the loom to provide clothes for the family,
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In Greek art, how were women portrayed to show their role?
WOmen were portrayed as pale to show they had been working indoors, as they should be,
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To achieve this pale complexion, what did many women do?
Many painted themselves with white make up, often made from lead,
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For women in Sparta, describe the state's involvement with them?
Overall, Spartans were the only one whose Greek women's upbringing was prescribed by the state and who were educated at state expense,
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How was education of girls categorised?
Into children, young girls, maidens who had reached puberty and married women,
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Were there this many stages for boys?
Boys had more stages market- Perhaps there werefewer for girls or we have less information about female activities,
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Unlike other women who were inside, how does differ to the Spartans?
Spartan women regularly exercised outside and had no obligation to engage in any form of domestic or money-making labour, like men
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However, like all war-like societies, what did the women do when the men went off to war?
A division of labour occured in which women managed domestic affairs,
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Were they allowed access of the gymnasia? Was did they have to wear?
Yes they were- They were allowed to be naked and weren't forced to wear neavy and concealing clothes,
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What percent of property in Sparta did women own?
40%
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Who are the women from Sparta believe to be descendants from and why?
Amazonians who were a independent mythical race. They had strange sexual relations with neighbouring towns and only kept girls from birth. They fought and hunted on horse back and so were wild women,
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When was their age for marriage and why?
They weren't allowed to marry until the age of 20- They believed girls should give birth when they are fit and strong so they can survive,
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Why did young couples not live together?
As there was the Spartan requirement that married men contiue to live in barracks until the age of 30,
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How did the Spartans view homosexuality?
It was the norm in the Greek world and was seen as education for both women and men as long as the element of physical attraction wasn't primary,
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who could men have sex with?
Whoever they chose as ong as they were non-citizen maes, female slaves, wives, whores and adolescent boys,
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However, for homosexual relations, what did the man have to do?
He had to be the active penetrator,
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What was the acceptable age for homosexual relations with boys in the barracks?
12-18
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What is this wooing by older men to younger boys called and what often occured?
Estrates and Eromenos- The boy shouldn't give up too easily otherwise they are too easy- THey woud be wooed with presents, and sometimes father chose which friends for his son,
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What happened if boys continued to be passive after turning 18?
They could be sued,
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What city also did this and had what system in the military?
Thebes, -They would have a section of theri army where older and younger male couples would fight together with the idea they would fight harder trying to protect one another,
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For the hellenistic period, what had expanded for women?
Opportunities weren't limited but expanded,
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Why was this the case especially for women of wealth?
Queens like Cleopatra VII of Egypt and Arsinoe stand out in Ancient sources, but some women could hold minor public offices,
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However to be in office what did women have to do?
Allow their wealth to be used for civic purposes,
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How did education expand?
Education became common for upper-class women.
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What possibilities did this create for them and examples?
It created the possibility of careers for individual women, such as the Cynic philosopher Hipparchia and professional musician Polygnota of Thebes
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What other rights did women gain?
Their rights expanded, -Marriage documents reveal women were capable of conducting their own business and seeking legal redress for their husband's misconduct,
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Although was there one position in the family that was dominant?

Back

No, no individual was dominant, although temporary leadership was probably assumed by the man

Card 3

Front

For the Dark Ages, the valuations of good and bad in respect to women and behaviour expected is determined by what?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Within their communities, how are women regarded?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What is there little trace of in society about women, but where does it appear later?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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