2nd Class Citizens In Greek Society

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2nd Class Citizens in Greek Society

Throughout human history the roles of women and men have been defined in part by physiology and in part
by the attitudes conveyed by those who hold power and influence. In ancient history, societies were
centered around women and the worshipping of goddesses. These roles changed quickly as hunting and
warfare became increasingly more important and women's less powerful physique placed them in a weaker
position. Just prior to the Hellenistic Age, three men wrote of their times, and of their perceptions,
attitudes and ideas regarding men, women, and civilization. In Oedipus Rex by Sophocles we get a
glimpse inside the life and tragic misfortunes of a royal family. Thucydides wrote a history of the
Peloponnesian war, and in his recounting of Pericles' Funeral Oration the duties and benefits of Athenians
were revealed. Plato's The Republic, was a philosophical dialogue covering the times as they were and
how he felt they possibly could be better. In each of these works t!
he roles of women are revealed not only through their position within the community but also through the
relation of the benefits and rights men enjoyed which women were denied.
    During the time of Sophocles, the Greek population led a simplistic life enjoying a dynamic life of
festivals, light work loads and the attendance of compulsory dramas paid for by the state for human
enhancement. The Greek population consisted of free men, free women and slav...

Submitted by: digitalessays
Date Submitted: 08-09-09 1:44am
Category: Social Issues
Words: 1473
Pages: 5.89