women and power

• What was Classical Athens called due to its governance?

  Democracy
• Who could participate in Athenian political decision-making?

  Only Athenian citizens
• What were the requirements to be an Athenian citizen?

  Born of citizens, over 18, male
• Who wrote the play "The Assemblywoman"?

  Aristophanes
• What is the main plot of "The Assemblywoman"?

  Praxagora plans to let women rule Athens
• How do women in "The Assemblywoman" plan to change the law?

  By disguising themselves and making speeches
• What were the women's interests in "The Assemblywoman"?

  Gossiping, drinking, and playing with disguises
• What was illegal for women in Athens?

  Practicing medicine
• Where did Agnodice train to be a doctor?

  In Egypt
• Why did Agnodice disguise herself as a man?

  To practice medicine legally in Athens
• What was the reaction of male doctors to Agnodice's success?

  They became jealous of her popularity
• What was Agnodice accused of during her trial?

  Seducing Athenian women
• What did Agnodice reveal during her trial?

  Her true identity as a woman
• How did the women of Athens respond to Agnodice's trial?

  They pressured their husbands to change the law
• How was Rome governed?

  By elected magistrates and the senate
• Who primarily made up the Roman magistrates and senators?

  Patrician families
• What could all male citizens do in Roman elections?

  Vote
• What is the cursus honorum?

  The ladder of elected political offices
• What was the Oppian Law?

  A law forcing men to contribute wives' jewelry
• Why was the Oppian Law passed in 215 BC?

  Due to a military defeat and resource shortage
• What action did Matrona take regarding the Oppian Law?

  She staged a protest and blocked streets
• What was the outcome of the Senate's debate on the Oppian Law?

  They voted to repeal the law
• Who described the events surrounding the repeal of the Oppian Law?

  Livy
• Who was Catiline?

  An unsuccessful Roman politician
• What did Catiline attempt in 63 BC?

  To start a rebellion against the Republic
• Why was Sempronia significant in Catiline's conspiracy?

  She could persuade her family and friends
• Why was Sempronia not prosecuted after the conspiracy?

  Women could not commit treason
• Who wrote about the Catilinarian Conspiracy?

  Sallust
• What are the key terms related to Athenian democracy and Roman politics?

  • Assembly: central decision-making body in Athens
  • Aristophanes: Athenian comedic playwright
  • Citizen: legally recognized member of a political community
  • Consul: highest rank of magistrate in Rome
  • Cursus honorum: ladder of elected offices in Rome
  • Magistrates: holders of political office
  • Patrician: Roman noble
  • Senate: governing body of Rome
  • Repeal: to cancel a law
  • Livy: historian of early Rome