Description
Book SynopsisThe study of women in the ancient Mediterranean world is a topic of growing interest among classicists and ancient historians, and also students of history, sociology and women''s studies. This volume is an essential resource supplying a compilation of source material in translation, with suggestions for further reading, a general bibliography, and an index of ancient authors and works. Texts come from literary, rhetorical, philosophical and legal sources, as well as papyri and inscriptions, and each text will be placed into the cultural mosaic to which it belongs. Ranging geographically from the Greek mainland and the communities along the eastern shores of the Mediterranean, to Egypt and the Greek West (modern day southern Italy and Sicily), the volume follows a clear chronological structure. Beginning in the eighth century BCE the coverage continues through Archaic and Classical Athens concluding with the Hellenistic era.
Trade ReviewThe author provides a stylishly written and academically concise overview of the topic… including much needed information on how one should approach such a broad range of source material on the lives of ancient Greek women … MacLachlan’s translations work well and are reader-friendly. … The selection of materials is also admirable. -- Marguerite Johnson, The University of Newcastle, Australia * Bryn Mawr Classical Review *
Table of ContentsI: Women in the Near East; II: Women in Greek epic a) Goddesses b)Mythical women; III: Monstrous women; IV: Women and archaic poetry a) Women in the male poets b)Women poets; V: Dorian women a)Poetic sources b)Prose sources c) Gortyn Law code; VI: Women of Classical Athens a) Domestic arrangements b) Legal arrangements c) Understanding of the female body d) Religious activity of women e) Female slaves f) Women in drama g) Women and philosophy; VII: Women of the Hellenistic period a) Poetic sources b) Women in Hellenistic Egypt; VIII: Etruscan women; IX: Women of the early Roman Republic a)Legendary women b) Legal status c) Private and public life; X: Women of the middle Republic a) Private and public life b) Women in comedy; XI: Women of the late Republic a) Women and the Civil War b) Legal status c) Women and the poets; XII: Women of the early Principate a) Private and public life b) Women and the poets; XIII: Women of the high Empire; XIV: Christian women.
