Women in Ancient Greece
The author’s main argument is that there is a discrepancy between the limited documentation regarding women’s participation in wining and dining in ancient Greek society and the historical reality that women did indeed partake in such occasions (Burton 1). The oversight in historical documentation often reflects biases and gaps in the recording of women’s experiences and roles in ancient societies. In ancient Greece, communal meals or symposia were significant social events where men typically gathered to dine, drink, converse, and engage in intellectual discussions. These gatherings were well-documented in literature, art, and historical accounts. Unfortunately, the participation of women in these events was not as prominently recorded. Nevertheless, despite the lack of documentation, the author argues that it is imperative to recognize that women participated in communal dining occasions in ancient Greece. While they might not have been involved in formal symposia as men were, they often attended other types of gatherings, such as religious festivals, weddings, and family banquets. Additionally, women played essential roles in the preparation and serving of meals, as well as in facilitating social interactions within their own circles.
Further, the author points out that there are several reasons why this information is necessary. One is to get a clear understanding of the political and social dynamics back then. These gatherings were not just about leisure but also served as venues where political alliances were forged, social connections were established, and ideas were exchanged. Small explains how ancient feasting was not just about sustenance but also about social dynamics, identity formation, and community cohesion (5). By providing a context for the modification of social scalar stress, the foundation and solidification of social roles, and the assimilation of communities, feasting played a vital role in shaping the social and cultural landscape of ancient societies. Women’s presence or absence at these events can indicate their involvement in political and social spheres, as well as their influence on decision-making processes. Secondly, participation in symposia was a marker of social status and political affiliation in ancient Greek society. By examining women’s involvement, one can gain insights into the stratification of society and the ideological differences between elitist and democratic factions.
Thirdly, studying how views on symposia evolved and how the institution itself changed over time and across different regions sheds light on broader shifts in political, social, and cultural life. Changes in the roles and participation of women reflect evolving societal norms and attitudes towards gender dynamics. Lastly, yet importantly, these occasions help paint a picture of how interactions between men and women were back then. The participation of women in communal dining occasions extends beyond their presence at male-defined symposia. Investigating the various roles women played in culinary practices, domestic rituals, and alternative communal gatherings provides a more nuanced understanding of gender relations and dynamics in ancient Greek society.
The author mentions that the evidence presented in this article incorporates biographies, court cases, scholia, histories, inscriptions, moral treatises, sympotic literature, poetry, play, fictive letters, works of visual art, and travel texts (Burton 1). As such, the article contains a combination of primary and secondary sources.
This article contradicts what we have learned in class, whereby women in ancient Greece were talked about in commensalism as guests but instead were depicted primarily as servers and entertainers. This article contradicts this by showing many occasions in which women not only attended men’s parties but also held their own. For example, the Thesmophoria was an ancient Greek festival dedicated to the goddess Demeter, typically celebrated in the autumn months, usually around October. Demeter was the goddess of agriculture, fertility, and the harvest, and the Thesmophoria festival was primarily focused on honoring her and promoting agricultural fertility. Burton notes that the Thesmophoria was an exclusively female festival, and it was one of the most important and widespread religious festivals in ancient Greece, particularly among married women (4).
Works Cited
Burton, Joan. “Women’s Commensality in the Ancient Greek World.” Greece & Rome 45.2 (1998): 143-165.
Small, David B. The Ancient Greeks: Social Structure and Evolution. Cambridge University Press, 2019.
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Question 
For this assignment, I want you to read the article by Joan Burton that is posted to Canvas and answer the following questions in a short essay:
What is the author’s main argument (thesis statement)? What is she trying to convince us of, or add to the discussion?
Women in Ancient Greece
What types of sources did the author use to make this argument? Did she mostly consult primary sources (letters, poems, plays, newspapers, government records or any other items from the time period being studied) or secondary sources (works written later by historians about the time period being studied)? Please be specific about the types of sources used.
Does this article confirm or contradict what we have learned in class? Again, please be specific.
Please cite the article whenever you quote or paraphrase the author. You may use any citation style that you feel comfortable with.