1. 4/23/07 BR- The life expectancy for people in Greece was 45 years for men and 36 for women. Why do you think it wasn’t the same? Today: The Role of Women in Ancient Greece Reading Quiz on Friday Chapter 11, 12

2. Job Opportunities For Women Women in ancient Greece had limited opportunities 1. Serve as soldiers (a couple of exceptions Artemisia, amazons) Greek writers noted that they lacked “bravery.” 2. Serve as members of government. They were also not permitted to vote 3. Women were able to be craft makers, farmers, musicians, dancers, priestesses (maenads), professional mourners 4. Their main role was to produce and raise children – Didn’t need to eat as much? 5. Worked in the home, maintained the house and produced things needed for the home.

3. How Women Were Perceived They are rarely included in “history.” 1.Some saw women as partners (Euripides) but for the most part they were considered “inferior” 2.Penelope: wife of Odysseus- Ideal woman - loyal to husband, good daughter-in-law, ran the house, spent most of her time spinning and weaving, never going outdoors. 3.Clytemnestra: wife of Agamemnon- wicked, unfaithful to her husband and eventually killed him. 4.Women were responsible for evil (Pandora) and that Zeus had sent them as test for men. 5.Look at Semonides’ description of the women descended from the various animals. 6.Being less important led to poor treatment, food health

4. Exceptions.. 1.While women did not write history, Sappho is a well know Greek poet. Phintys wrote about differences between men and women (p.77) 2.Some wives and daughters were able to participate in events (Gorgo and Cleomenes)

5. Assignment (due Friday) 45 pts. - Design a T-shirt, bumper sticker, or sign that protests or support that role of women in ancient Greece. You should make sure your product identifies at least 3 specific issues such as women’s job opportunities, how they are perceived in society or portrayed in literature.