Well-Behaved Women Making History: Accessing Women's Lives from the Ancient Sources

4 credits · Undergraduate

Ancient and medieval historians paid little attention to women. When they did, it was either to praise them lavishly or disparage them irredeemably. Their impoverished view of women’s lives stands in stark contrast to the material available from other sources, both textual and artistic. In this class we shall consider the gamut of women’s experiences, such as social, religious and gender roles, economic and legal rights, faith, passions, and religious responsibilities. We will read about Greek priestesses and Christian martyrs, wives and queens, poets and benefactors. This class will be organized chronologically and will cover select topics from ancient Greece, Rome, and early Byzantium.