Women in the Home

• What remedies could women use to combat infertility?

  Potions, concoctions, fragrances, etc.
• Who did women turn to for help when remedies failed?

  The god of Medicine, Asclepius
• What did women do at Asclepius' shrine at Epidaurus?

  Spent the night hoping for divine dreams
• What desperate measures might women have taken if divine help was not received?

  Some evidence suggests they tried other measures
• What did some women do in the Athenian market?

  Sold babies
• How did Aristophanes depict Athenian women in his plays?

  As tricksters regarding childbirth
• What did the Athenian woman in Aristophanes' play do to her husband?

  Tricked him into believing she was in labor
• What does the frequency of comedic themes in Aristophanes' plays suggest?

  Reflects the anxieties of Athenian women
• What was the role of an Athenian woman after marriage?

  Leading the household
• What was the husband's role compared to the wife's in Athenian society?

  Husband participated in public life
• What is the *Oeconomicus*?

  A work by Xenophon about household duties
• Who are the main characters in the *Oeconomicus*?

  Socrates and Ischomachus
• What does Ischomachus say about the roles of husband and wife?

  Wife's role is noble indoors, husband's outdoors
• What is the kyria responsible for in the household?

  Managing goods and household work
• What must the kyria do with the goods brought into the house?

  Distribute and manage them wisely
• How did the kyria contribute to the household's self-sufficiency?

  By managing resources and producing textiles
• What was required for cloth production in Athenian households?

  All cloth had to be made by hand
• How could a kyria improve her household's wealth?

  By training her servants and managing work
• Who governed the kyria in the household?

  The kyrios
• Where did female members of the household typically work?

  In the back of the house or upstairs
• What was the *gynaikon*?

  A room where women slept
• What was the purpose of the *andron* in Athenian households?

  To track who entered and left
• What restriction did the kyria face when leaving the house?

  She needed a male escort
• How did upper Athenian women differ from others regarding freedom?

  They had more freedom in their homes
• What financial restrictions did the kyria face?

  Could not spend beyond a modicum of barley
• What could the kyria not do regarding property?

  She could not own or sell property
• What does the repeated mention of property ownership restrictions imply about Athenian women?

  They had limited rights and autonomy
• What remedies could women use to combat infertility in ancient times?

  Potions, concoctions, fragrances, etc.
• Who did women turn to for help when remedies failed?

  The god of Medicine, Asclepius
• What was believed to happen when women spent the night at Asclepius' shrine?

  They would receive divine dreams for healing
• What other methods might women have tried if initial remedies failed?

  Consulting oracles or seeking healers
• What did many dedications at the sanctuary indicate about Athenian women?

  They thanked the god for assistance
• How does Aristophanes' depiction of women relate to societal pressures in Athens?

  It reflects anxieties about infertility and societal expectations
• What is the title of the work by Xenophon that discusses women's duties?

  *Oeconomicus*
• What were the household duties of an Athenian woman after marriage?

  • Manage the household
  • Supervise servants and resources
  • Ensure food and clothing production
• What does Xenophon suggest about the roles of husbands and wives?

  Wives should stay indoors, husbands outside
• What responsibilities did the kyria have in managing household goods?

  Receive, distribute, and plan for future needs
• How did the kyria contribute to the household's self-sufficiency?

  By managing resources and producing textiles
• What was the *gynaikon* in an Athenian household?

  The women's quarters at the back of the house
• What was the purpose of the *andron* in Athenian homes?

  Men's quarters for entertaining guests