Question Read the quote about women in Roman society. “[T]he position of the Roman matron was quite different from that of the Greek matron in the time of Pericles. The Roman matron was mistress in her own household. As the husband took charge of all external transactions, so the wife was supreme in household arrangements.” —James Donaldson, Woman; Her Position and Influence in Ancient Greece and Rome Based on your knowledge of the role of women in the Roman republic, provide evidence to prove the author’s claim that the position of Roman women was different from that of Greek women. (4 points) SIMPLIFY IT
The author's claim about the different position of Roman women compared to Greek women can be supported by the following evidence:
1. Legal Rights: In Roman society, women had more legal rights compared to Greek women. Roman women were able to own property and engage in business transactions, whereas Greek women had limited legal rights and were considered the property of their fathers or husbands.
2. Household Authority: As mentioned in the quote, Roman women had significant authority within their own households. They were responsible for managing the household affairs, such as finances, slaves, and domestic matters. In contrast, Greek women had very limited authority and were primarily confined to domestic duties.
3. Participation in Public Life: Roman women had more opportunities to participate in public life compared to Greek women. Some Roman women were involved in politics, such as serving as advisors to their husbands or even holding political positions. Greek women, on the other hand, were generally excluded from participating in the public sphere.
4. Education and Intellectual Pursuits: Roman women had greater access to education and intellectual pursuits compared to Greek women. Some Roman women received formal education and were able to participate in literary and philosophical activities. In contrast, Greek women were mainly educated in domestic skills and were not encouraged to pursue intellectual interests.
Overall, the roles and rights of Roman women were significantly different from those of Greek women, with Roman women enjoying more legal rights, household authority, participation in public life, and opportunities for education and intellectual pursuits.