Because of this women had very little freedom, unlike the Egyptians. The women were watched and held under the supervision of a male at all times, whether it was their father, brother, or husband. The few times that women were able to leave their home were to go to weddings, funerals, or other religious festivals, or to briefly visit female neighbors. Other than these
Whenever we go through the records of roman women's status in society there is always a great consternation. Several sources or journals which mention the roles of women in ancient roman society, several works which mention them as wives and mothers. There are sources however limited they may be which delve deeper into the scope of these questions, which give a glimpse into the lives of roman women. Woman in artwork has been portrayed as the guarantor of bounty and fertility. Roman women throughout their life from childhood and education to marriage and further in the motherhood had played a great role in society of that time.
Though they did not participate in government, the women did enjoy considerable freedom, could accumulate property and exercise considerable power. The women of Sparta were given freedom, power, respect and status that were unheard of in other Greek city-states. The main function of Spartan women was to be wives and mothers of citizens. Women knew their central goal was to “continue Sparta, through childbirth”. Xenophon wrote, “Lycurgus thought that for free women the most important job was to bear children”.
Most women were brought up to support her husband and look after her home and children; her time was always contributed to her home. As the women would always be in the house they would barely go out. The odd occasion would consist of going to the shop or going to visit the neighbor, even though they were minor trips a women would need a chaperone to take her out of the house, this would consist of the husband or brother, or even another female, but a women would never go out by herself. Women were expected to act in an appropriate restrained way than men. This would include men spitting, swearing, smoking and drinking alcohol.
Public Role - Usually the wealthier women did not have major roles in society; Greek women had virtually no political rights of any kind and were controlled by men; therefore it was uncommon to see women out in the public as they had no importance. One of the only major roles of women in the public areas was to attend weddings, funerals and state religious festivals. They played an important role at funerals where they would prepare the dead body for burial by washing and anointing it, to be displayed to relatives and family. They were also expected to deliver food and libations to the gravesite. These were probably the only time you would see wealthier women in public.
Women of Rome and Greece Throughout the time 8000 B.C.E.-600 B.C. the role of women differed throughout the different societies. Although the role of women between the Romans and the Greeks varied they had some similarities also. Both the Roman and Greek women had more rights and freedom that most societies. Roman wives were not segregated from males in the home, unlike the Greeks.
Greek Men were involved in a number of activities, such as military training, politics, sailing, hunting, manufacturing in trade, and other ‘manly’ considered roles. On the contrary, women in ancient Greece usually did not have jobs. They were not involved in public life or in politics; women were expected to stay home and take care of the home duties and children; they also watched over the slaves (if owned any) that worked in their homes. Women were not allowed to watch theater nor perform at the theater (University Press Inc, 2012). Women were also not allowed to compete or watch the Olympics; they were, however, able to hold games of their own (Fiero, 2011).
The few roles that they had were in religion, taking care of the household, and being second to their husbands. In religion, they are viewed as powerful goddesses. The goddesses are far different than what the real women were like, but they were powerful and independent. The women in ancient Greece were expected to take care of the household. Cleaning and taking care of children were the main jobs of ancient Grecian women.
Women in Ancient Rome Roman woman had hard lives and rarely enjoyed freedom. Women were mainly expected to be mothers and look after the household. Often, women were treated as second-class citizens and once they were married they were the property of their husband. However, by the end of the republic this practice had ended and women married women were granted legal rights. Daily routines and duties included running the house, looking after the family, working in the fields and spinning and weaving.
The aspects of a mother and the way she acted played a role in the children’s care and raising. It was also important that the daughters see their mother and her actions while growing up so she can learn to emulate her and be a mother, and constantly work. Although a lot of Aztec women duties lied in the household, women’s rights played a larger in society as well as a whole. Women were active producers as well as vendors. They owned possessions and property within the calpul organization.