Women
Citizen Women
Citizen women had less rights than men as they were excluded from politics. They had to have a male legal guardian (kurios), who would speak for them in court and was responsible for them. This was normally their husband or their father. However, they could still control property and have their financial interests protected in law suits. They were also entitled to the equal protection of the law, regardless of their wealth.
Inheritance & Heiresses
If there were no living sons, a daughter could inherit the family estate; she could also inherit from other male relatives if they had no male offspring. However, if a woman was left as an heiress, the closest male relative was expected to marry her and to produce a child with her. If the child was ale, they would then inherit the woman's father's legacy in the woman's place.
Dowry
The regular share of a father's estate came to a woman through her dowry. Although the husband had the legal control over the wife's dowry, their respective holding became commingled. This meant that if the marriage split-up, their property would be allotted. The husband had to use the dowry in order to ensure support for his wife and children and often had to put up his own land as potential collateral to guarantee the safety of it. Upon a woman's death, her dowry became the property of her children.
Standards of Beauty
Women in Athens attempted to look as pale as possible (as they stayed inside so much) so often used a powdered white-lead in order to make themselves appear paler. Vase painting depict women in colourful clothing and are often seen with headbands, coiffeurs and jewellery.
Value of Sons
Having male offspring meant protection for the parents; they could appear in law courts and could also protect them on the streets. On top of this, they were required, by law, to support their parents in old age. Due to the great benefit of having male offspring, there are numerous stories of women smuggling slave children and claiming them as their own.
'Hetaira' ('Companions')
The 'companions' were women who would often be present at dinner-parties and were known for their erotic skills. However, they were equally well-known for their ability to converse with men in public on all topics of conversation, including politics. An example of a 'companion' is Perikles' second wife, Aspasia of Miletus, who was reported to have talked politics alongside Perikles at symposiums and even to have advised him. Traditionally-minded men did not trust them.
Festivals
Arkteia
Thesmophoria |
Festival in honour of Artemis. Held at Brauron, near Athens. Myths of a daughter and a bear. 'Playing the bear'; girls connected to the wild world, yet preparing for taming in marriage.
Most important and widespread festival for women. It was for adult women, probably including married daughters. It was three days spent away from home where there were fertility rituals such as burying a sacrificed pig (and digging up previous years) and an enactment of myth. It was lamenting separation and celebrating re-union, like the goddess Demeter and her daughter Persephone who had been tricked into the underworld by Hades. |
Women were also dominant in the Cult of Athena Polias. It was considered to be the most important cult of the fifth-century BC. It was centred on the Acropolis, around the Athena Parthenos (statue to Athena in the Parthenon). The priestess was a public figure, such as Lysimache (Lysistrata) for more than sixty years. Women played other roles in this and other cults too, for example, they weaved the robe that was presented to Athena in the Great Panathenaia (procession) or carrying baskets, etc.