Customer Reviews

Goddesses, Whores, Wives, and Slaves: Women in Classical Antiquity

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Grim picture of the status of women in Greek and Roman society. A scientific exploration based on classical marriage contracts, legal and medical texts, demographic data (on female infanticide) and philosophical and literary works (Plato, Aristoteles, Homeros and others).
The status of Aspasia (Pericles' hetaera) was an exception. Women were confined to the domestic sphere, totally inferior to men and the subject of systematic misogyny by poets and philosophers.
The author also elucidates why the Isis cult was persecuted by emperor Tiberius.
This is a model study. A necessary work not to be missed by readers interested in classical history. It is a look at that section of ancient culture that didn't take part in philosophical discussions or political decision making, but that composed the majority on which the first democracy - for a minority - was built. Work by Catherine Salles and Bettina Eva Stumpp on the same subject is also a compelling read.

I first read this book in highschool(Latin Class) back in 1985, and to this day, I still find it to be one of the best overviews on the lives of Classical Women ever. While there are some other good works out there, theya re few and far between, and many are not translated into English-which is a shame.

I realize that there may some material for scholars to pick at, but I do feel that the author has sourced her material well, and does offer alternative viewpoints, as well as mention when there are difficulties in proving certian theories. The fact that she is apparently a feminist as some sort of come down for the book doesn't hold water with me. The same could be said for many male historians, as the roles of women and their significance is often ignored.

The book does cover a very large time period-about 1500 years, but I feel does an excellent job in looking at the social, cultural, and legal expectations for women, and how those roles changed over time, and between societies. In some ways it is darker than imagined, and others far more hopeful, as demonstrated by some of her focus on the women of Pompeii, and the evidence of their wealth, independence, and individuality. Some of the more famous women are covered, and their activites placed into context.

Perosnally, if there was a book that belong in all Ancient Civ/Western Civ surveys or introductory classes, I beleiev unequivocally that this is one of them. I felt that way in highschool, and I feel that way today.

The author does provide good information on the status of women in the ancient world, but has some completely baseless theories. She tries to juxtapose the masculine Persian god Mithras with the feminine god Isis, claiming Isis was supressed and Mithras welcomed. The problem is, Mithrism, after Christianity and Judaism, was persecuted heaviest because it was though to indicate loyalty to Persia, Rome's enemy. Isis, on the other hand, after some early initial efforts to ban all foreign religions, was fully tolerated. It saw nothing like the persecution the other three religions saw. Also, she overstates Isis as a feminist figure. Most papyrus quotes from ancient Egypt have her worshiped as a traditional wife and mother goddess. All she has as proof of her contention that wasn't so is one Oxyrhyncus papyrus quote and a quote from the always unreliable Diodorus.

I think this book opens up a lot of questions for further discussion. Pomeroy's mastery of the sources is unquestionable. More slanted toward Athens than I would prefer to use in my university course on womena and family in the pre-modern west, but still the best general book around after a quarter century!

This unique and relevant book is a must read for anyone who is interested in women issues. Although Pomeroy writes about women's life in ancient Greece the picture she presents is strikingly relevant for our own times. You will be surprised to know that women in ancient Greece, the place considered by many as the corner stone of Western civiliaztion, didn't fare much better than their sisters in today's Saudi-Arabia: they couldn't vote, couldn't go out of their houses without an escort, were not permitted any education, and couldn't participate in community political life AT ALL. Pomeroy's data is detailed and specific - rare to find in (the few)studies done on this subject. Her lucid style and very balance presentation of the material makes this book a jem.

I purchased this book optionally for a class and I think Pomeroy is a great read. She was def better than some of the other authors about Greek antiquity. Maybe wouldn't have picked it up for fun, but I didn't mind reading it for course enrichment.

I got in touch with Pomeroy work when I was a History student in 1993. It marked me because she was not interested in just repeat what authors just say about women in Greece and Rome. It's necessary to point that as a feminist she want to put in evidence contradictions about women roles and places. It's a very interesting feminist investigation.

The subjest is very informative but the only down fall is that this book reads like a textbook.

I chose to study the lives of Classical Women as part of my Ancient History degree. It was fascinating.

I was not impressed by Sarah Pomeroy's work, because of her blatent 'adaptation' of quotes to serve her purpose.

Every historian is influenced by their own contemporary society. Inevitably. Existing viewpoints always need to be challenged and reviewed. (This will include Sarah Pomeroy a few decades down the trail).

Personally I feel this book is written for modern political viewpoints and I think it could have been far more balanced.

One of, if not the best, compact source for classical women's history. Readable and comprehensive.