WOMEN IN ANCIENT GREEK HISTORY
I.
WOMEN IN ANCIENT GREECE
A.
INTRODUCTION
1.
TIME FRAME
a.
MINOAN CIV - 29000-1100 B.C.E.
(1)
CENTERED ON ISLAND OF CRETE
b.
MYCENEAN AGE - 1650-1100 B.C.E.
(1)
CENTERED ON GREEK MAINLAND
c.
HOMER & HEROIC PAST - 1100-800 B.C.E.
(1)
HOMER WROTE ABOUT MYCENEAN AGE
d.
LYRIC AGE 800-500 B.C.E.
(1)
EVOLUTION OF CITY-STATES
(2)
COLONIZATION OF GREEKS AROUND MED. SEA
e.
CLASSICAL PERIOD 500-338 B.C.E.
(1)
GREEK PHILOSOPHY, DRAMA, DEMOCRACY
B.
MINOAN CIVILIZATION
1.
NAME FROM MYTHICAL KING MINOS WITH MINOTAUR
a.
HALF MAN HALF BULL FIGURE
2.
THESUS, MYTHICAL FOUNDER OF ATHENS
a.
VOLUNTEERS TO GO TO CRETE AS PART OF ANNUAL
TRIBUTE REQUIRED BY KING MINOS
b.
IN LABYRINTH OF PALACE HE HAD TO FIND HIS WAY
OUT WITHOUT GETTING KILLED BY MINOTAUR
c.
WITH AID OF ARAIDNE, KING MINOS' DAUGHTER
(1)
THESEUS SUCCEEDS
3.
FRESCOES PAINTED WITH LEAPING ACROBATIC MALES &
FEMALES OVER BULLS
4.
SCHOLARS DEBATE WHETHER THIS BONA FIDE
MATRIARCHAL SOCIETY OR NOT
5.
MORE FRESCOES OF WOMEN THAN MEN
6.
ON ISLAND OF CRETE NUMEROUS PALACES FOUND
a.
NO WALLS
b.
INDICATING EITHER SECURITY BEHIND NAVY OR
PEACEFUL SOCIETY
7.
SERENE ROOMS WITH PAINTED WALLS OF ANIMALS & PLANTS
a.
GIVE CREDENCE TO LATTER
8.
THRONE NOT ELEVATED FROM OTHER SEATS
9.
ADVANCED PLUMBING
a.
WORLD'S FIRST FLUSH TOILET
b.
TERRA COTTA BATHTUBS
10.
FIGURINES OF BARE-BREASTED WOMEN WITH FULL LENGTH
SKIRTS THOUGHT TO BE REPRESENTATIONS OF THEIR CHIEF
GODDESS
a.
WITH SNAKES IN HER HANDS
b.
NAMELESS OR ELSE A PRIESTESS FOR HER
11.
HILLTOP SANCTUARIES HAVE REPS OF THEIR DEITY TOO
a.
OFTEN CALLED MOUNTAIN MOTHER
12.
OTHER FIGURES OF THIS GODDESS CIRCA 1300-1250 B.C.E.
SHOW THEM WITH POPPIES ON THEIR HEAD
13.
INDICATION PRIESTESSES MORE NB THAN PRIESTS ON CRETE
2
a.
C.
D.
PROCESSION FRESCO PRIESTESS RECEIVING TRIBUTE
ADULATION & WORSHIP
(1)
FROM 2 APPROACHING LINES OF MEN
14.
WOMEN IN RELIGIOUS RITUALS WHERE DANCING &
SACRIFICES
a.
BOTH NB COMPONENTS OF LATER GREEK RELIGION
MYCENEAN CULTURE
1.
NAMED AFTER ITS CAPITAL ON PELOPONNEUS
2.
DOMINATED GREEK WORLD FROM 1600 -100 B.C.E.
3.
500 YEARS LATER HOMER'S ILIAD & ODYSSEY RELATES THIS
SOCIETY
4.
SCHLIEMANN 1876 FOUND AGAMEMNON'S PALACE & GOLD
MASK
5.
HOMELAND OF HELEN OF TROY
6.
DISCUSS HER KIDNAPPING & TROJAN WAR
7.
ECONOMIC REASONS WHY WAR NOT HER CAPTURE
8.
LATER GREEK TIMES HELEN REVERED AS GODDESS
a.
ESPECIALLY BY SPARTANS
(1)
WHERE SHE FROM
9.
HOMER'S WORKS GREEK BIBLE
a.
OUTLINING FOR THEM THEIR HEROIC PAST &
b.
HOW TO FEEL, THINK, BEHAVE
c.
& MOST IMPORTANTLY FIGHTING
(1)
THEIR REASON FOR BEING
10.
NOT MUCH KNOWN ABOUT WOMEN
11.
BUT THOUGHT NOT AS WELL REGARDED AS IN MINOAN
12.
NOW SACRED SITES TO MALE GODS LIKE ZEUS & APOLLO
13.
ALTHOUGH MYCENAEANS CONTINUED TO WORSHIP
MOUNTAIN MOTHER AT SANCTUARIES IN MOUNTAINS
14.
WE GET OUR FIRST DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF GREEK
DEITIES IN THESE EPIC TALES
15.
ZEUS & HERA APEX OF PANTHEON
16.
POSEIDON, APHRODITE, ATHENA, ARTEMIS, APOLLO, ARES,
ETC.
17.
AS IN NEAR EAST THEIR MYTHOLOGY RELATES
SUBSTITUTION OF FEMALES FOR MALE DEITIES
18.
FREQUENT USE OF OX-EYED FOR HERA SUGGESTS HERA
GREAT MOTHER GODDESS BEFORE ZEUS BORN
19.
AT OLYMPIA, THE HERAION
a.
TEMPLE TO HERA
b.
PREDATES BY LONG TIME TEMPLE OF ZEUS
20.
BY HOMERIC AGE ZEUS MORE NB THAN HERA
21.
ECONOMICALLY WOMEN
a.
WOVE CLOTH
b.
MADE LEATHER GOODS
c.
PROCESSED GRAIN
d.
ALL POSITIONS DETERMINED BY GENDER
ARCHAIC AGE, CIRCA 800-500 B.C.E.
1.
EVOLUTION OF CITY-STATES
2.
BEGINNINGS OF GREEK COLONIZATION
3.
GREEKS FARMERS, TRADERS, FISHERMEN
3
4.
5.
E.
II.
POLEIS OR CITY-STATES CONSTRUCT
PEOPLE RESIDING FULL TIME IN COUNTRY
a.
INFERIOR TO CITY DWELLERS
(1)
WHO WORKED FIELDS
(2)
BUT LIVED IN CITIES
6.
POLITICALLY GREEK WORLD WENT THROUGH VARIOUS
FORMS OF GOVT STRUCTURE
a.
HEREDITARY MONARCHIES
b.
OLIGARCHIES
c.
DICTATORSHIPS
d.
DEMOCRACIES
7.
NOT ALL ARRIVED AT DEMOCRATIC STAGE LIKE ATHENS
8.
SPARTA BASICALLY MONARCHY WITH SOCIALISTIC
TENDENCIES
9.
ATHENS & SPARTA 2 LARGEST & IN COMPETITION
10.
COLONIZATION AROUND MED, BLACK & AEGEAN SEAS
MEANT GREEK CULTURE SPREAD
CLASSICAL PERIOD 500-332 B.C.E.
1.
MOST FAMILIAR WITH AS
a.
LITERATURE, PHILOSOPHY & ARTISTIC ENDEAVORS
MAINLY BY ATHENIANS
2.
BEGINS SEVERE DECLINE IN WOMEN'S ROLES
3.
ATHENS PROBABLY MOST UNFAVORABLE TO WOMEN
WOMEN IN ATHENIAN SOCIETY
A.
GENERAL REMARKS
1.
WOMEN LEGALLY & POLITICALLY HAD NO POWER
2.
UNDER CONTROL OF MALES THEIR ENTIRE LIVES
3.
GIRLS NEVER FORMALLY CAME OF AGE
4.
BEFORE SOLON'S ECONOMIC & POLITICAL REFORMS CA 600
B.C.E.
a.
FATHERS COULD SELL THEIR DAUGHTERS INTO
SLAVERY IF ECONOMIC DISTRESS
5.
FATHERS DID NOT RAISE DAUGHTERS UNLESS THEY COULD
PROVIDE THEM WITH ADEQUATE DOWRY
a.
INFANTICIDE COMMITTED
b.
DEBATE ONGOING WHETHER MORE GIRLS THAN BOYS
SUBJECT OF INFANTICIDE
6.
BIRTH OF SON GOAL OF MARRIAGE
7.
PHILOSOPHERS ARISTOTLE & PLATO
a.
SUGGESTED MARRIAGE AGE POSTPONED
b.
SO CHILDBEARING YEARS LIMITED
c.
IF NUMBER OF CHILDREN TOO LARGE
(1)
MOTHERS TO ABORT FETUSES
B.
MARRIAGE CUSTOMS
1.
BECAUSE OF MALE DOMINANCE GIRLS MARRIED EARLY
a.
TEENAGERS - AROUND 14
2.
HUSBAND AT LEAST 30
3.
MANDATORY VIRGINITY FOR BRIDES ONLY
4.
STANDARD BETROTHAL CONTRACT
a.
DOWRY IN LAND OR MONEY
4
5.
6.
7.
8.
C.
III.
IF DIVORCE DOWRY REMAINED WITH WIFE
JANUARY POPULAR TIME FOR MARRIAGES AS HERA'S MONTH
WIFE TO REMAIN FAITHFUL
OK FOR HUSBANDS TO PURSUE AFFAIRS WITH FEMALE
PROSTITUTES OR YOUNGER MEN
9.
DEMOSTHENES, NOTED GREEK ORATOR
a.
WE HAVE HETAIRAI FOR THE SAKE OF PLEASURE,
PROSTITUTES FOR DAILY CARE OF THE BODY, BUT
WIVES TO BEAR US LEGITIMATE CHILDREN AND
TRUSTED GUARDIANS OF OUR HOUSEHOLDS
LIFE IN SPARTA FOR WOMEN
1.
SPARTA STRONG MILITARISTIC SOCIETY
2.
OMNIPRESENT WAR FOOTING
3.
WHEN GIRL BORN INSPECTED BY GROUP OF ELDERLY MEN
a.
DETERMINED IF SHE STRONG ENOUGH TO LIVE
b.
OTHERWISE EXPOSED
4.
GIRLS SPENT THEIR EARLY YEARS IN VARIOUS ATHLETIC
PURSUITS
a.
TONING THEIR BODIES TO PRODUCE GOOD BABIES
5.
STRENGTH AND TENACIOUSNESS OF SPARTAN WOMEN
LEGENDARY
6.
SPARTAN WOMEN HAD FAR MORE FREEDOM THAN OTHER
GREEKS
7.
SPARTA ONLY STATE HAVING PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR GIRLS
8.
WOMAN'S HUSBAND NOT HER LEGAL MASTER IN SPARTA AS
IN ATHENS
9.
MOST GREEK WOMEN DID NOT GO OUT UNCOVERED BUT
SPARTAN WOMEN DID
10.
AFTER WEDDING HUSBANDS & WIVES STILL LIVED
SEPARATELY FROM MEN
a.
WHO CONTINUED SPARTAN PRACTICE OF LIVING IN
MILITARY BARRACKS
11.
AS IN ATHENS MAIN DUTY OF SPARTAN WIVES TO BREED
BRAVE & STRONG CHILDREN
12.
WOMEN HAD RIGHT TO OWN & DISPOSE OF PROPERTY
a.
NOT POSSIBLE IN ATHENS
13.
WOMEN FROM 5TH TO 3RD CENTURIES B.C.E. HAD THEIR
POWER IN POLITICS INCREASE
a.
AS WOMEN CONTROLLED LAND WEALTH
14.
WAS SPARTA A GYNEOCRACY LIKE ARISTOTLE SAYS?
15.
ARISTOTLE CLAIMED SPARTA ULTIMATELY FAILED BECAUSE
SPARTA DID NOT CONTROL ITS INDEPENDENT WOMEN
BIRTH CONTROL PRACTICES
A.
SILPHIUM
1.
MOST POTENT PLANT
2.
BOTH CONTRACEPTIVE & ABORTIFACIENT CAPABILITIES
3.
DEMAND FOR SILPHIUM DROVE PRICES SO HIGH IN 5TH C.
4.
PLAYWRIGHT ARISTOPHANES IN HIS PLAY THE KNIGHTS
a.
DON'T YOU REMEMBER WHEN A STALK OF SILPHIUM
SOLD SO CHEAP
5
5.
B.
C.
D.
SCARCITY AND THEN EXTINCTION LEAD THE ANCIENT
GREEKS TO USE ASAFOETIDA
a.
FROM SAME GENUS FERULA AS SILPHIUM
b.
THOUGH NOT AS EFFECTIVE
6.
OTHER CONTRACEPTIVES
a.
QUEEN ANNE'S LACE OR WILD CARROT
b.
PENNYROYAL
c.
RUE
d.
ARTEMISIA
e.
MYRRH
f.
POMEGRANATE
7.
MOST OF THESE SCIENTIFICALLY PROVED TODAY TO HAVE
BOTH CONTRACEPTIVE & ABORTIFACIENT PROPERTIES
8.
SCHOLARS FEEL MOST PROBABLY USED FOR ABORTIONS
RATHER THAN CONTRACEPTIONS
9.
NO LAWS AGAINST ABORTION PRESENT IN ANCIENT GREECE
10.
FOR ANCIENTS LIFE NOT PRESENT UNTIL BIRTH
11.
THUS NO STIGMA TO ABORTION
MEDICAL CARE & GODDESSES
1.
HYGEIA - GODDESS OF HYGIENE
2.
HER SISTER PANACEA
3.
THEIR FATHER ASCELPIUS - GOD OF MEDICINE
4.
HYGEIA TAUGHT PEOPLE TO ACHIEVE HEALTH & LONGEVITY
BY PROPER BEHAVIOR
MISCELLANEOUS RELATING TO WOMEN
1.
USE NETWORKS OF WOMEN FROM THEIR SAME SOCIAL CLASS
2.
WOMEN COULD ATTEND
a.
PUBLIC FESTIVALS
b.
SACRIFICES
c.
FUNERALS
(1)
COULD BE OFFICIAL MOURNERS FOR THEIR
RELATIVES
(2)
ALTHOUGH PERIODIC LEGISLATION INTRODUCED
TO TRY & CURB OSTENTATIOUS BEHAVIOR OF
WOMEN AT FUNERALS
d.
PROPER MOURNING & BURIAL EXTREMELY IMPORTANT
TO ANCIENT GREEKS
e.
IN PLAY ANTIGONE BY SOPHOCLES ANTIGONE WILLING
TO SACRIFICE HER REPUTATION & LIFE TO PROPERLY
BURY HER BROTHER AGAINST WISHES OF KING
DIVORCE
1.
RELATIVELY RARE IN YEARLY YEARS OF GREEK HISTORY
2.
VERY COMMON CLASSICAL PERIOD
3.
WIFE NEEDED HER FATHER OR ANOTHER MALE TO BRING
DIVORCE SUIT BEFORE CITY OFFICIALS
4.
HUSBAND COULD DIVORCE BY EXILING WIFE FROM HOUSE
5.
FATHERS ALSO HAD RIGHT TO SEPARATE THEIR DAUGHTERS
FROM THEIR HUSBANDS
a.
& BRING THEM HOME TO MARRY SOMEONE ELSE
6.
AFTER DIVORCE DOWRY RETURNED TO WIFE
7.
NO DOWRY RETURNED IF WIFE COMMITTED ADULTERY
6
E.
F.
G.
IV.
WOMEN IN ECONOMY
1.
LOWER-CLASS WOMEN
a.
AGRICULTURE WORK
b.
RETAIL SHOPS
c.
DOMESTIC SERVICE
d.
WET NURSING
e.
MIDWIFERY
f.
PROSTITUTION
2.
MIDDLE CLASS IDEAL WAS FOR WIFE TO STAY HOME
3.
WIVES NOT EVEN SUPPOSE TO DO MARKETING
4.
MIDDLE CLASS WIVES MADE CLOTHING FOR ENTIRE
HOUSEHOLD
a.
SPINNING, WEAVING
b.
USE OF DISTAFF (STAFF HELD THE WOOL)
c.
SPINDLE -= SPOOL HOLDING NEWLY SPUN THREAD
5.
ONLY 2 REALMS COULD WOMEN RISE TO EQUAL OR SURPASS
MEN IN INFLUENCE & COMPETENCE
a.
PRIESTESSES & PROSTITUTES
SAPPHO 620-565 b.c.e.
1.
POETESS FROM ISLAND OF LESBOS
2.
CONSIDERED 10TH MUSE BY PLATO
3.
GREATEST LYRIC POET
4.
SOME POETRY EROTIC & MAYBE LESBIAN
5.
MOST OF HER POETRY DESTROYED BY CHRISTIANS
HETAIRAI OR COURTESANS
1.
MOST EMANCIPATED WOMEN IN ATHENS, ETC.
2.
USUALLY STARTING AS SLAVE OR DOWRY-LESS MAIDEN
3.
WITH GOOD LUCK, INTELLIGENCE & RIGHT PATRON
4.
HETAIRAI COULD ELEVATE THEIR STATUS
5.
ASPASIA
a.
BECAME MISTRESS OF DE FACTOR 30 YEAR RULER OF
ATHENS, PERICLES
b.
EVENTUALLY HIS WIFE
c.
WELL EDUCATED
d.
NOW THOUGHT SHE MAY HAVE WRITTEN FAMOUS
FUNERAL ORATION SPEECH PERICLES GAVE DURING
PELOPONNEUS WITH SPARTA
6.
HETAIRAI MIXED FREELY IN MALE COMPANY
a.
ATTENDING SYMPOSIA WHERE THEY ENGAGED IN
DEBATES OF
(1)
POLITICS, DRAMA, PHILOSOPHY, MUSICAL
TALENTS
RELIGIOUS PRACTICES OF GREEKS
A.
GENERAL REMARKS
1.
RITUALS & WORSHIPPING OF DEITIES NB TO GREEKS
2.
CONSTANT CELEBRATIONS CARRIED OUT FOR
a.
RITES OF PASSAGES FOR YOUNG GIRLS, MAIDENS &
WOMEN
3.
ALL INVOLVED HONORING GODDESSES
4.
ALL GREEKS' LIVES INTERWOVEN WITH THEIR DEITIES
7
B.
C.
D.
RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS FOR WOMEN & GIRLS
1.
PERSEPHONE, ARTEMIS & ATHENA, DEMETER & APHRODITE
MENTOR GODDESSES TO WOMEN
2.
DEMETER, GODDESS OF GRAIN & AGRICULTURE
a.
MANY FESTIVALS IN HER HONOR FOR WOMEN
3.
MOST NB FALL 3-DAY FERTILITY RITES FESTIVAL
a.
THESMOPHORIA - FOR DEMETER
4.
DEMETER MOTHER OF PERSEPHONE
a.
WHO SEIZED BY HADES
(1)
GOD OF UNDERWORLD & MADE HIS WIFE
5.
DEMETER WON RELEASE FOR HER DAUGHTER FOR TWOTHIRDS OF YEAR WHEN ZEUS
a.
DEMETER'S SISTER & WIFE & FATHER OF PERSEPHONE
b.
FORCED TO RELINQUISH TO DEMETER WHO WAS
CAUSING CROP FAILURE, FAMINE, HUMAN INFERTILITY
6.
ANOTHER MORE FAMOUS FESTIVAL & OPEN TO BOTH
GENDERS
a.
ELEUSIAN MYSTERIES
7.
WHILE PRIMARILY HONORING DEMETER, PERSEPHONE
INCLUDED TOO
8.
THOSE INITIATED INTO THE ELEUSIAN MYSTERIES WOULD
a.
RECEIVE HIDDEN KNOWLEDGE
(1)
INCLUDING SALVATION & A HAPPY AFTERLIFE
9.
FOR OVER 2000 YEARS GREEKS & THEN ROMANS WORSHIPPED
DEMETER IN ELEUSINIAN MYSTERIES
10.
THESE RITES MAJOR COMPETITOR TO GROWTH OF
CHRISTIANITY
11.
DIONYSUS AS GOD OF WINE & SONG HAD RELIGIOUS RITES
SPECIAL TO HIM SIMILAR TO THOSE FOR DEMETER
12.
MAENADS, FEMALE FOLLOWERS OF DIONYSUS HAD SPECIAL
STATUS
GODDESSES FOR MARRIED WOMEN
1.
DAILY WIVES OFFERED PRAYERS & FOOD TO HESTIA
a.
GODDESS OF HEARTH
(1)
CENTER OF HOME
2.
APHRODITE
a.
MOST WELL KNOWN GODDESS EXALTED BY WOMEN
b.
SHE GODDESS OF SEXUALITY & LOVE
c.
BUT HER ANCESTRY GOES WAY BACK TO ANCIENT
NEAR EASTERN ORIGINS
d.
SHE IS COMPARABLE TO INANNA, ISHTAR & ASTARTE
e.
SEXUALITY JOYFUL TO ANCIENT GREEKS
(1)
MANY ARTISTIC RENDITIONS OF HUMAN
ENJOYING THEMSELVES EVIDENT IN ARTIFACTS
f.
BOTH GENDERS OFFERED SACRIFICES & WORSHIP TO
APHRODITE
ATHENA
1.
DURING AGE OF PERICLES MONEY SPENT BEAUTIFYING
ATHENS
a.
INCLUDING PARTHENON - TEMPLE TO ATHENA
2.
SHE PATRON GODDESS OF ATHENS
8
3.
E.
F.
G.
CITY HELD MAJOR FESTIVAL IN HER HONOR
a.
PANATHENAIA
4.
SHE ALSO GODDESS OF WISDOM
a.
REPRESENTED BY OWL ON ATHENIAN COINS
5.
ALSO GODDESS OF WAR & MILITARY VICTORY
a.
ILLUSTRATED BY HER TITLE NIKE OR VICTORY
6.
INSIDE PARTHENON 40 FOOT STATUE OF ATHENA
ARTEMIS
1.
EPHESUS IN ASIA MINOR CELEBRATED TEMPLE OF ARTEMIS
a.
1 OF SEVEN WONDERS OF ANCIENT WORLD
2.
OROGINALLY POWERFUL MOTHER GODDESS
a.
EVEN THOUGH VIRGIN
b.
SIMILAR IN ICONOGRAPHY TO ISIS IN EGYPT
c.
& VIRGIN MARY IN CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY
3.
LATER IN GREEK HISTORY ARTEMIS DEMOTED TO MOON,
HUNTER & UNTAMED NATURE GODDESS
a.
WHERE HAS ARTEMIS NOT DANCED
(1)
FAMOUS GREEK SAYING
PRIESTESSES IN ANCIENT GREECE
1.
MOST RESPECTED WOMEN PRIESTESSES OF VARIOUS FEMALE
DEITIES & MYSTERY RELIGIONS
2.
THIS HIGH STATUS REFLECTED DEEP-ROOTED GREEK
CONVICTION
a.
WHILE WOMEN NOT AS SMART AS MEN
b.
THEY HAD MORE SPIRITUALITY
c.
ALLOWING THEM CLOSER COMMUNICATION WITH
GODS
3.
TERM OF OFFICE OF PRIESTESSES OF HERA AT ARGOS
a.
SO WELL RESPECTED THAT NB GREEK HISTORICAL
EVENTS DATED BY THEM
4.
PERHAPS SINGLE MOST INFLUENTIAL GREEK AT ANY GIVEN
TIME PRIESTESS OR PYTHIA AT DELPHIA
DELPHI ORACLE
1.
MOST FAMOUS
2.
APOLLO STOLE ORACLE OR STONE FROM GAIA
3.
SUPPOSED TO SPEAK IN VOICE OF APOLLO
4.
TROUBLE W/THIS ORACLE WAS ITS UTTERANCES TENDED TO
BE VERY OBSCURE
5.
ACTUAL ORACLE AT DELPHI ALWAYS UNEDUCATED YOUNG
WOMAN OF THE REGION
a.
PYTHIA
b.
ONE WHO HAD REVEALED A TENDENCY TO HYSTERIA &
IRRATIONAL BEHAVIOR
c.
PRIESTS FED HER POISONOUS LAUREL LEAVES WHICH
SHE CHEWED
d.
MADE HER GO INTO A TRANCE
6.
WHILE IN TRANCE SHE BECAME VEHICLE FOR VOICE OF
APOLLO
a.
UTTERING PROPHECIES CAPABLE OF CHANGING
HISTORY OF GREEK PEOPLE
9
V.
MISOGYNY IN GREEK SOCIETY
A.
HOMER
1.
ILIAD & ODYSSEY
2.
TAUGHT GREEKS WHAT TO FEEL & THINK, & HOW THEY
SHOULD BEHAVE
3.
MANY SCHOLARS NOW STATE MISOGYNIST IDEAS INHERITED
FROM PAST BEGIN WITH HOMER
a.
HOMERIC HEROS MISTRUSTS WOMEN
b.
EVEN MOST DEVOTED & SUBMISSIVE OF THEM
c.
ODYSSEUS WAITS TILL HE HAS KILLED SUITORS
BEFORE HE REVEALS HIMSELF TO HIS WIFE
d.
AGAMEMNON - KING OF MYCENAE (ACHEANS)
(1)
...BRING YOUR SHIP BACK TO YOUR HOMELAND
SECRETLY, NOT OPENLY, SINCE WOMEN CAN
NEVER BE TRUSTED OD 11.454-56
e.
PENELOPE
(1)
WIFE OF ODYSSEUS
(2)
WHILE TOUTED AS FAITHFUL WIFE
(3)
ALWAYS IDEA - WAS SHE REALLY FAITHFUL TO
HER HUSBAND?
(4)
WAS THEIR SON TELEMACHUS, REALLY
ODYSSEUS SON
(a)
MY MOTHER SAYS I AM THE SON OF
ODYSSEUS BUT I DON'T KNOWN. NO ONE
BY HIMSELF CAN KNOW HIS OWN SEED
4.
ZEUS ALWAYS STRIKING ONE OF HIS WIVES, HERA
B.
HESIOD
1.
WILL CONTINUE MISOGYNIST IDEAS OF HOMER
2.
CA. 700 B.C. GREEK POET
3.
IN BOTH HIS THEOGONY & WORKS & DAYS TELLS STORY OF
CREATION OF MAN & WOMAN
4.
MAN CREATED FIRST & LIVES HAPPILY UNTIL
5.
IN PUNISHMENT FOR PROMETHEUS' STEALING FIRE & GIVING
TO MORTALS,
6.
ZEUS CREATES FIRST WOMAN, PANDORA
7.
PANDORA OPENS HER BOX & UNLEASHES PAINS & EVILS
AMONG MEN
C.
MISOGYNY OF GREEK PHILOSOPHERS
1.
SOCRATES, PLATO, ARISTOTLE
a.
3 MOST INFLUENTIAL PHILOSOPHERS IN HISTORY
2.
WILL CONTINUE GREEK MISOGYNISTIC BELIEFS
3.
& ONES THAT MEDIEVAL & LATER SOCIETIES IMBIBED
HEAVILY
4.
SOCRATES C. 470-399 B.C.
a.
WOMEN WEAKER SEX...BEING BORN WOMAN IS A
DIVINE PUNISHMENT, SINCE A WOMAN IS HALFWAY
BETWEEN A MAN & AN ANIMAL
5.
ARISTOTLE 4 TH C. B.C.
a.
THE MALE IS BY NATURE SUPERIOR & FEMALE
INFERIOR AND ONE RULES AND THE OTHER IS RULED.
THIS INEQUALITY IS PERMANENT BECAUSE THE
10
D.
E.
F.
G.
WOMAN'S DELIBERATIVE FACULTY IS WITHOUT
AUTHORITY, LIKE A CHILD'S
b.
HE SAW WOMEN AS LESS RATIONAL
c.
WOMEN IMPERFECT OR MAL-FORMED MALES
d.
PRODUCED AS RESULT OF A CONJUGAL ACT STAINED
BY
MISOGYNY - SPECIFIC TO HUSBANDS
1.
WIVES PORTRAYED AS IDLE, VENGEFUL, SHREWISH,
UNSCRUPULOUS
a.
AS FIGURES TO BE CONQUERED OR DENIGRATED
2.
SEMONIDES OF AMORGOS
a.
CLASSIFIED WOMEN INTO 10 TYPES
b.
ONLY ONE - BEE - JOY FOR MAN OR GOOD FOR MAN
3.
SEMONIDES & HESIOD TRANSMUTED MISOGYNY INTO
MOCKERY OF HUMOR
MISOGYNY IN GREEK THEATER
1.
BY 4TH C MAKING FUN OF WIVES & WOMEN STANDARD
THEME IN COMEDIES PERFORMED IN GREECE
2.
ARISTOPHANES
a.
392 B.C. WROTE
b.
...THEY NAG THEIR HUSBANDS, JUST AS THEY ALWAYS
HAVE; THEY SNEAK THEIR LOVERS INTO THE HOUSE;
JUST AS THEY ALWAYS HAVE; THEY BUY THEMSELVES
LITTLE TID-BITS, JUST AS THEY ALWAYS HAVE; THEY
PREFER THEIR WINE UNWATERED JUST AS THEY
ALWAYS HAVE; & THEY ENJOY A GOOD "ROMP IN THE
HAY" JUST AS THEY ALWAYS HAVE
EURIPIDES
1.
JUDGED BOTH AS MISOGYNIST & CHAMPION OF WOMEN
2.
DIVISION WHICH AT LEAST TESTIFIES TO COMPLEXITY OF HIS
FEMALE PORTRAYALS
3.
WOMEN APPEAR AS PERPETRATORS OF CRIMES MOTIVATED
BY PASSION
a.
JEALOUSLY
b.
VINDICTIVENESS
c.
CRIMES COMMITTED WITH DECEIT & GUILE
4.
COMPLICATING FACTOR IS EURIPIDES ALSO PRESENTS
WOMEN'S ACTIONS AS EMANATING FROM INSECURITY OF
THEIR POSITION
NEGATIVE SYMBOLS OR EVIDENCE OF PAST POWER OF WOMEN IN
GREEK SOCIETY?
1.
GREEKS CREATED NUMEROUS FEMALE MONSTERS
2.
WHO WERE ORIGINALLY BEAUTIFUL WOMEN WHO HAD SEX
WITH SOMEONE INAPPROPRIATELY & ARE TURNED TO
MONSTERS BY POWERFUL GODS
a.
CIRCE
(1)
WHO TURNED ODYSSEUS' MEN INTO SWINE
b.
SCYLLA
(1)
SHE WOULD DEVOUR ODYSSEUS' MEN
c.
CHARYBDIS
(1)
DEADLY WHIRLPOOL
11
d.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
VI.
PHRASE BETWEEN SCYLLA & CHARYBDIS CONTINUED
INTO MODERN TIMES AS DESCRIPTIVE OF CHOICE
BETWEEN
(1)
ROCK & HARD PLACE
e.
SIRENS
(1)
LURED MEN TO DEATH WITH THEIR SONGS
f.
FURIES
(1)
3 FEMALES WHO PUNISH WRONGDOERS
LATER GREEK MYTHS
a.
HARPIES
(1)
RAVENOUS FILTHY BIRDS WITH WOMEN'S HEADS
b.
MEDUSA
(1)
1 OF GORGONS PERSEUS KILLED
(2)
LOOK WOULD TURN MEN TO STONE
MALE HERO OF GREEK LEGENDS MOVED THROUGH
LANDSCAPE THRONGED WITH FEMALE MONSTERS
WHOM HE MUST DEFEAT OR OUTWIT IN ORDER TO SURVIVE
DO ALL THESE NEGATIVE SYMBOLS INDICATE NEGATIVE
ATTITUDE TOWARDS WOMEN?
OR AN INDICATION THAT THEIR POWER IS TO BE FEARED &
RESPECTED?
LEGENDS OF AMAZONS
A.
GENERAL REMARKS
1.
IN TANDEM WITH MISOGYNISTIC TENDENCIES OF GREEKS
2.
LEGEND OF AMAZONS
3.
AMAZONS RACE OF WARRIOR WOMEN
4.
WHILE ARTISTIC RENDITIONS OF AMAZONS SHOW HAVE 2
BREASTS
a.
WORD AMAZON MEANS HAVE NO BREASTS
5.
LEGEND DEVELOPED THESE WOMEN HAD THEIR RIGHT
BREASTS REMOVED
a.
TO AID IN THEIR USE OF BOW & ARROW
6.
SOME OF MYTHS RE AMAZONS MAY HAVE SOME HISTORICAL
BASIS
7.
RECENT ARCHAEOLOGICAL UNCOVERING OF BURIALS
a.
LEADS MANY SCHOLARS TO CONCLUDE SCYTHIANS
b.
ACTUAL HISTORICAL TRIBE
c.
EXHIBITED MUCH OF SOME CHARACTERISTICS AS
AMAZONS
8.
CHARACTERISTICS OF AMAZONS
a.
THEY ACTED AS MEN
b.
DID NOT MARRY
c.
WHEN WANTED FEMALE CHILDREN
(1)
CAPTURED MEN & SEDUCED THEM
d.
IF MALE INFANT BORN HE KILLED
e.
RODE ASTRIDE
f.
LIVED WITHOUT MALES
9.
ENCOUNTERS WITH AMAZONS EXPECTED OF GREATEST
GREEK HEROES TO SHOW THEIR CHAMPION STATUS