Women in the Roman Republic and Ancient Athens- A Comparative Study of Patriarchy and Gender Roles

Women in the Roman Republic and Ancient Athens- A Comparative Study of Patriarchy and Gender Roles

Based on this week’s readings about women in Rome and last week’s module on women in Ancient Greece, it would be reasonable to assume that the position of women in the Roman Republic was notably different but also a little bit similar to that in Ancient Athens. This assumption is based on several differences observed in the readings. Firstly, in the Roman Republic, women had more legal rights and social standing compared to women in Ancient Athens. Roman women could own property, engage in business, and even inherit wealth. In “The Laudatio Tururiae” eulogy, the Roman husband talks about how his deceased wife had inherited property from her father and she had also shared it with her sister (Wistrand para. 4, 8). Further, women in ancient Rome had more freedom in public life and were able to participate in certain religious and social activities.

“The Laudatio Turiae,” a eulogy written by a Roman husband for his deceased wife Turia, reflects the esteem and independence that some Roman women enjoyed. In the eulogy, the Roman husband praises his wife for how she was able to lead and successfully defend their home while he, the husband, was absent (Wistrand para. 14). I have not seen this power bestowed upon women in ancient Greece. In Ancient Athens, women were typically confined to the domestic sphere and had limited legal rights and social freedoms. They were expected to manage the household and raise children, but they had little involvement in public affairs or decision-making.

On the other hand, in both Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece, female chastity and virtue were highly valued and considered essential for maintaining social order, family honor, and the stability of the community. The portrayal of women in texts like “The Rape of Lucretia,” which depicts the tragic consequences of sexual assault on a noble Roman woman (Halsall), highlights the importance placed on female chastity and virtue in Roman society. In ancient Athens, like in Rome, the society was patriarchal, and the honor of the family was closely linked to the behavior of its female members. Women were expected to uphold the virtues of modesty, fidelity, and obedience to their husbands.

Works Cited

Halsall, Paul. “Ancient History Sourcebook Livy: The Rape of Lucretia, From the History of Rome.” Fordham University, 13 Feb. 2024, sourcebooks.fordham.edu/ancient/livy-rape.asp.

Wistrand, E., translator. Laudatio Turiae. www.u.arizona.edu/~afutrell/survey/laud%20tur.htm.

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Ancient Rome, like Ancient Greece, was a patriarchal society in which women were supposed to focus on domestic duties and played little role in politics.

Women in the Roman Republic and Ancient Athens- A Comparative Study of Patriarchy and Gender Roles

Two of our readings this week focus on the story of a real Roman woman (“The Laudatio Turiae”) and a mythical, or highly mythologized, woman (“The Rape of Lucretia). Based on these two readings, and last week’s module, do you think the position of women in the Roman Republic was significantly different than in Ancient Greece (we can say Athens, to be specific)?