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? ? ? The world of the ancient Greeks was one that was dominated by men. The Greek city-state of Athens in particular being even more noted than Ancient Egypt and Sparta for relegating women to a secondary status in society.? ? ? Like the Oriental Harem, Athenian women were isolated to the gynaeceum a special place in the rear of the Athenian home where visitors never ventured. Shopping was done by the man of the house or his slaves, and when women did leave the house to visit relatives or female friends they were always heavily veiled and accompanied by a male relative.? ? ? Even relationships between Athenian men and women were limited. Athenian men found companionship with other men. This attitude is neatly summed up in the famous quotation by the fourth century B.C. Politician Demosthenes: "We have hetairai (Prostitures) for pleasure, concubines for health, and wives to bear legitimate offspring."
I think that the Greek social dynamic was radically different all around than the dynamic of our Western lives today. I recall reading that 9 or 10 people in Athens, or perhaps Greece, were slaves. If this is true, it would be a kind of society completely foreign to us. I also know that even in modern times, the role of women is different in different societies. Obviously, women in Islamic countries are treated quite differently from those in the U.S. or perhaps Europe; at least in one country in South America, women are treated with different expectations than in the West as well. So, the treatment of Athenian women is perhaps not too surprising.
? I also know that even in modern times, the role of women is different in different societies.? Obviously, women in Islamic countries are treated quite differently from those in the U.S. or perhaps Europe; at least in one country in South America, women are treated with different expectations than in the West as well.?
What do you mean by 'or perhaps Europe'?? 😡
I can say that women in Islamic countries are treated “quite differently” than those in the U.S., but I am not familiar enough with culture in all European countries to say the same. Women in some European countries might be treated “somewhat differently” rather than “quite differently”.
I had a friend who went to Greece for cancer treatment and she said that men still are very dominate in Greek society.
I have been in Greece before. I recall having been told by someone else who had been there that when you go to dance clubs or whatnot, the reason you only really see Greek men, and no women, is that the men keep their women indoors – “locked up”, so to speak – at night. Whether this is true, or an exaggeration, or a case of “operator” is up for you to decide.
Obviously, women in Islamic countries are treated quite differently from those in the U.S. or perhaps Europe; at least in one country in South America, women are treated with different expectations than in the West as well.
Which South American country is that?
Well Aristophanes sure lampooned this in Lysistrata. Then of course there was Sappho who ran a school for women only. So there were some isolated instances in ancient Greece where women were either considered or held some form of autonomy. But for the most part, they were the property of their husbands.
Which South American country is that?
The country is Ecuador, but I imagine that the treatment is more or less the same throughout many Latin American countries.
? ? ? This attitude is neatly summed up in the famous quotation by the fourth century B.C. Politician Demosthenes: "We have hetairai (Prostitures) for pleasure, concubines for health, and wives to bear legitimate offspring."
Please tell me there are no cultures who still subscribe to this today.
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