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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)
One piece of evidence to support the author's claim is that Roman women had legal rights and could own property. In Roman society, women could inherit and own property in their own name, and they had the right to buy, sell, and manage property. This was not the case in ancient Greece, where women were not considered citizens and had limited legal rights, including the inability to own property.
Another evidence is that Roman women had more freedom and social status compared to Greek women. Roman women were allowed to move freely in public spaces, participate in social events, and be involved in public life to some extent. They could attend public spectacles, host social gatherings, and even engage in political activities. In contrast, Greek women were mostly confined to the home and had limited social interactions outside the household. They were expected to focus on domestic duties and raising children, and their primary role was in the private sphere.
Overall, these examples demonstrate that Roman women had a higher status and more independence than Greek women, supporting the author's claim that the position of Roman women was different from that of Greek women.