Women in Ancient Greece

"Ownership" of women - who owned them? Did they not own themselves?

Greek women had very little freedom anywhere outside there home. They had to have their husbands permission to go to events like weddings, funerals and even to attend religious events. They couldn't make any decisions them selves. Their father controlled them up until they were married, then the husband took over the role. They did not own themselves atall. This is very opposite to some other places, for example in ancient Egypt women had a large amount of freedom and life was very similar for male and females.

Could a woman inherit property? If not, why not?

Greek women were not aloud to own a property outright. If a females father dies she would not inherit his property. If she had any brothers then they would get the property. If he has no sons then he would adopt a male that would then inherit this property. Or if he only has a daughter then he would chose a male to adopt and this would be who his daughter has to marry. This was because there is an Athenian law which states women are not allowed to participate in a business transaction involving anything which value exceeds a sum of money equivalent to whats needed to feed a family for 5-6 days.

How does this information help you to understand Medea's behaviour in the play?

This information makes me understand








REFRENCE

http://greece.mrdonn.org/women.html

http://www.womenintheancientworld.com/women_and_property_in_athens.htm

http://www.angelfire.com/ca3/ancientchix/