Women in Greek Myth (Paperback)

~ Mary R. Lefkowitz (Author) "No Greek myths about women have claimed so much attention in recent times as those that concern matriarchy..." (more)
Key Phrases: grave inscriptions, libation bearers, ancient women, Homeric Hymn, Lady Psyche, Acts of Paul (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A smashing book, in every sense of the word. . . ." -- The Observer

"An impressive depth of learning" -- Greece and Rome --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"An intelligent, readable and useful analysis of the issues bearing on the status of women in ancient myth and society.Classical World" -- Classical World

"Women in Greek Myth exemplifies the characteristics of philological mastery, poetic insight, historical understanding, and lucid style that we have come to expect in a book by Mary Lefkowitz." -- New England Classical Newsletter

"A smashing book in every sense of the word." -- Observer

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press (September 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801841089
• ISBN-13: 978-0801841088
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #713,235 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Postfeminist" perspective - yes please!, June 26, 2007

By	Ariste Lois "kalailialois" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

To anyone with a solid background in the gendered culture or mythology in Ancient Greece, this is a great book to own.

Her well-cited perspective on women's lives was refreshing after the unapologetic sexism of early Classicists and more recent gender scholars' categorical assumption of victimization. She discusses - it really does feel like a conversation, and I really like that style - the idea of powerful mythic women (Princess Ida and the Amazons), Chosen Women, Women Without Men, Wives, Martyrs, and Misogyny, and has interesting things to say about each part. I do wish that there had been more work done on women among women and what traits women valued among themselves, but that may have been too much to ask given the texts we have. I don't necessarily agree with everything she asserts, but I definitely enjoy considering it!

This book is just as interesting to read as a critique of Classicist scholarship and as an anthropological take on what we value, as a culture, when approaching gender, as it is an insightful and succinct argument for a new perspective on the women of ancient Greece through their own stories.

7 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars controversial even a decade later, May 15, 2000

By	TammyJo Eckhart "TammyJo Eckhart" (Bloomington, Indiana United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Lefkowitz wrote "Women in Greek Myth" at a time when it was popular to portray women as "victims" or as "power brokers" in the ancient world. Instead Lefkowitz tries to view the reader a better understanding of the society which created the stories and not use the stories to reveal that society. One may disagree with her interpretations but as always, her research and theory is grounded in evidence colored by her almost anti-feminist speech.