Ancient Greek women faced significant oppression, especially between 800-500 BC. They were seen as objects and had no independence - women could not make their own decisions, inherit property, or go out in public unescorted by men. Athenian women experienced the worst oppression, marrying very young to much older husbands, while Spartan women received education and owned land, though still faced social restrictions.

1. LEILA SAAD
CLASSICAL HERITAGE
©2016
WOMEN IN ANCIENT GREEK CIVILIZATION

2. CONTENT
• Period of Oppression
• Forms of Oppression of Women in Ancient Greek
Civilization (marriage, social life, inheritance)
• Women in Athens
• Women in Sparta

3. PERIOD OF OPPRESSION
800 B.C – 500 B.C was the period which maintained the weak view of females.
Women were much oppressed during that time.
The era 400 B.C. nurtured and cultivated its demeaning role of women.

4. FORMS OF OPPRESSION IN ANCIENT GREEK
CIVILIZATION
• Marriage was a means of exchange; women were seen as “objects”.
• Women did not carry their family’s name. In case they wanted to go out to the public, they
were escorted by men. They were not allowed to make any decisions (their decisions were
voiced by their male relatives). They were responsible for household chores and supervising
slaves only. The only decent job they were allowed to have was working as a priestess.
Women were separated from men even inside the house.
• The only case in which a female could inherit property was through her male sibling.

5. ATHENS
• Ancient Athenian women were very oppressed. All forms of oppression were practiced on
them. They married at a young age; the difference between them and their husbands was
large. They were more oppressed than Spartan women.

6. SPARTA
• Women received good education in both arts and athletics.
• Women were encouraged to develop their intellect.
• Women owned more than a third of land.
• Women married at a later age than Athenian women did (smaller age difference).

7. THANK
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