Women in Classical Antiquity

From Birth to Death

Laura K. McClure

• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• Year: 2019
• Print ISBN: 9781118413524, 9781118413517
• eBook ISBN: 9781118413654
• Edition: 1
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: Ancient History
• Index: History

An introduction to women and gender in the classical world that draws on the most recent research in the field

Women in Classical Antiquity focuses on the important objects, events and concepts that combine to form a clear understanding of ancient Greek and Roman women and gender. Drawing on the most recent findings and research on the topic, the book offers an overview of the historical events, values, and institutions that are critical for appreciating and comparing the life situations of women across both cultures.

The author examines the lifecycle of women in ancient Greek and Rome beginning with how young females acquired the gendered characteristics necessary for adulthood. The text explores female adolescence, including concerns about virginity, medical views of the female body, religious roles, and education. Views of marriage, motherhood, sexual activity, adultery, and prostitution are also examined. In addition, the author explores how women exercised authority and the possibilities for their civic engagement. This important resource:

• Explores the formation of classical women's social identity through the life stages of birth, adolescence, marriage, childbirth, old age, and death
• Contains information on the most recent research in this rapidly evolving field
• Offers a review of the life course as a way to understand the social processes by which Greek and Roman females acquired gender traits
• Includes questions for review, suggestions for further reading, and a glossary of key terms

Written for academics and students of classical antiquity, Women in Classical Antiquity offers a general introduction to women and gender in the classical world.

Index

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a

• abortion 93–94, 220–221
• absolute power see potestas
• acropolis (citadel) 28
• actresses 237
• administration
  • Athens 28–29, 31–35
  • Minoans 21
  • Mycenaeans 21
  • Roman business women 250–253
• adolescence
  • brides of death 66–69
  • choruses 61–66
  • Greece 57–75
  • medical views 58–59, 196–199
  • Nausicaa 61
  • purity 59–60, 194–196
  • Roman religion 200
  • Rome 193–210
  • sexuality 58–60, 64–66, 70–71, 194–196
  • weddings 69–73, 198–200, 202–208
• adoption 38–39, 178
• adultery 99–114, 231–248
  • Athenian law 101–103
  • Augustus’ laws 239–240
  • Clytemnestra 104
  • Deianira 105–106
  • Draco’s law 103
  • Eros 99–100
  • Helen 100–101
  • Latin love elegy 236–238
  • men 102, 105–106, 107–113
  • Messalina 232
  • Phaedra 104–105
  • Roman law 178
  • Roman themes 231...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Table of Contents
• List of Figures
• List of Charts
• List of Boxes
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Abbreviations
• Timeline of the Classical World
• Maps
• Introduction
• Greece
• Interlude: Women in the Hellenistic World
• Rome
• Glossary
• Index
• End User License Agreement