Women Of Ancient Greece Essay -- essays research papers

The Women of Greece A Transition from Ancient Power to Classical SubservienceFor the most part, women in todays society throw a position equal to that of a manhowever, this has not always been the case. Women?s conquest for political and socialfreedom is a battle that has at rest(p) on for centuries. Perhaps the breaking point in women?sliberation was the Womens Movement of the 1900s, which encouraged women all overAmerica to join in the get by for their right to vote. Because of this struggle for equality,women are now able to vote, receive a standard of fairness in the workplace, holdpolitical positions, and play professional sports, as well as a wide array of other privilegesenjoyed by men. Unfortunately, these civil rights have not been made available towomen worldwide. In some cultures, oddly those of the Middle East, women havegained little if any rights at all since the societies of the past. In Greece, an almostopposite effect can be seen in its history in which women in their country went frombeing recognized as equals and above, to becoming a much weaker sex. This oddtransition of status of Greek women is evident through the art, mythology, and philosophyof a much older Greece. Thus dominant role of women portrayed in Ancient Greekmythology and artwork is in direct contrast to the more than subservient role of women duringthe classical era in Greece. Ancient Greece, otherwise known as the Archaic period (650-450 B.C.), was atime of great tuition for Greece. The first major developments in Greece werecities or towns and their surrounding villages called city-states(Greece 366). Muchrivalry consisted between city-state residents which resulted in a great deal of patriotismfor one?s city-state. Some of the best known city-states are Athens and Sparta (Greece366). During this time of growth, numerous tyrants came into control of the city-states. These tyrants caused the people to become bitterly rebellious, which later ended in snub and the birth of the first known democratic government (Greece 372). City-states were once again threatened by takeover in the 500?s B.C., whenPersian kings act to overrun the city-states however, the city-states revolted against thePersian kings. These uprisings did nothing more ... ...n of the Classical period, which is illustrated throughout the artwork. Amazonwomen (refer to Plate 5), who were depicted as being able to fight with men, were greatly symbolic of women?s power in ancient Greece. In a painting from the House ofDioscurides (see Plate 12), Perseus slays the dragon to free Andromeda, which reveals thewoman?s dependency on a man. When comparing artwork of the Classical and Archaicperiod, one can see the transition that these Grecian women went through.The struggle that some women have had to face for roughhewn rights that areenjoyed by women today is incredible. Many owe thanks, to those that have fought forcivil rights so that equality can be enjoyed by everyone. Unfortunately, th ere are lightenmany countries who suffer from a lack of true freedom. The transition that Greece wentthrough in their attitude towards women is much different than any other cultures, inwhich women unremarkably gain rights and respect not lose them. The woman portrayed in Archaic art, mythology and philosophy is one of power and grace, while the woman portrayed in Classical art, law and philosophy is one of subservience and weakness.