Western Civilization I / Unit 3 WC1 0205 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Greek Women: Archaic Latitude, Classical Restriction
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The idea
Greek society was explicitly patriarchal, its myths hostile to assertive women, Penelope the model wife. Yet Archaic women inherited, managed households and mixed socially. Restrictions tightened into the Classical Age, Athens most of all.
In practice
Monogamy for wives; liaisons with slaves and equals accepted for husbands.
Where people slip
The trend runs backward from expectation. Later Athens was worse for women.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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