Aristotle: On a Good Wife,
From Oikonomikos, c. 330 BCE
Reading this part of Greek history really blew my mind. I can understand why it was
written but not exactly how all of the rules play into the daily lives of the Greeks. Aristotle I
think had great intentions while making these rules for “Good wives” 1 but maybe missed some
key important rules for the husbands. It gives tons of rules for women on how to be good wives
so they won’t get cheated on by their husbands! What about the men who cheat just because they
can?! It also includes kind of a training guide for men to use for their wives so they don’t get
attitudes.2
This piece of history also included the fact that children, especially the sons looked at his
parents as teachers on how to be good husbands. This I found to be interesting because children
do learn a lot by watching their parents. Although I do not agree with the majority of the rules
stated, such as “Let her refrain from all complaint, nor charge him with the wrong, but rather
attribute everything of this kind to sickness or ignorance or accidental errors.”3 Ya right! If my
husband does something wrong, I’m not going to sit there and make excuses for him or not say
that it upsets me when it does. It almost seems that the husband is made to appear perfect and
without flaw but when the wife screws up everyone in the whole city is going to know about it. It
just doesn’t seem like a fair trade off. This story kind of reminds me of Tiger Woods and his
wife. She was probably expected to be a good little wife and not say or do anything bad to make
1
From Aristotle, The Politics & Economics of Aristotle, Edward English Walford & John Gillies, trans., (London: G.
Bell & Sons, 1908). Scanned by: J.S. Arkenberg, Dept. of History, Cal. State Fullerton. Prof. Arkenberb has
modernized the text. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/greek-wives.asp
2
Ibid
3
Ibid
him look bad. I think she knew he was cheating and finally had enough when he was in his car
and refused to come out and be called on it. I think that he probably thought she would stay
faithfully trained and a good little wife without consequence. Just like the Greek husbands back
then, you can wish in one hand!