Sources

Xenophon. Oeconomicus. Translated by E. C. Marchant. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1923.

Xenophon was a Greek historian and scholar born around 430 BCE and died in 354 BCE who studied under Socrates. In his work called "Oeconomicus," Xenophon uses dialogues to discuss household management, including what is expected from wives. This piece of work dates back to the classical age of Greece when women had the role of running the household efficiently but being submissive to their husbands at all times. Xenophon's objective in writing this work was to lay out the perfect household organization that would run without chaos. Xenophon's bias is evident in the work since he favored patriarchal views.

Plutarch. Advice to the Bride and Groom. In Moralia, translated by Frank Cole Babbitt. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1928.

Plutarch lived between c. 46 – 120 CE, being an ancient historian and an important philosopher from Greek culture in the Roman period. In his Advice to the Bride and Groom, Plutarch gives advice concerning marriage and how the couples should behave properly. He advocates for a harmonious co-existence in marriages, especially regarding the modesty of women and the need to follow their husbands' instructions. Plutarch's aim in this text is to ensure stability and proper behavior among the households in his community. However, the author has a biased attitude towards male dominance and unfortunately encourages women to play a supportive role.

Aristotle. On a Good Wife. In The Politics and The Economics of Aristotle, translated by Edward Walford. London: George Bell & Sons, 1881.

One of the most famous philosophers of ancient Greece was Aristotle (384–322 BCE). His works influenced Western thinking for ages to come. In On a Good Wife, Aristotle explains what he considers to be the proper conduct and duties of women. This work was created during the classical Greek period. It concentrates on emphasizing the subordinate role of women in the family and underlines their submission to the will of men. Aristotle's aim is the creation of social hierarchy by defining different roles for men and women. His attitude is highly biased as he assumes that men are always superior to women.

Euripides. Medea. Translated by Diane Arnson Svarlien. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing, 2007.

Euripides, an ancient Greek writer (c. 480–406 BCE), was famous for his revolutionary approach and unique characterization. His play Medea, staged for the first time in 431 BCE, deals with the fate of a woman who took extreme revenge on her husband due to his betrayal. Medea is important since it addresses several issues that emerged in Greek society, such as women's place in the community, emotional behavior of women, as well as their influence on society. The author's intention is not only entertaining but also critical towards gender stereotypes, as he created a strong character of an independent woman.

Hesiod. Works and Days. Translated by M. L. West. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988.

One of the earliest writers to document his observations on everyday living and society in ancient Greece was Hesiod, an ancient Greek poet who lived in the seventh century BCE. He presents advice in his poetry on topics like agriculture, morality, and even marriage and women in Works and Days. He sees women not only as essential members of the family but also as possible causes of problems. His objective in the presentation of his advice is to show how to lead an ordered life through self-control. His viewpoint can be said to be very prejudiced and quite negative regarding women.

Foxhall, Lin. Studying Gender in Classical Antiquity. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2013.

Lin Foxhall is an author and ancient historian who teaches at the university level and has conducted research on the subject of gender in ancient society. In this source, the author asserts that gender roles in ancient Greece were determined by various social, economic, and cultural elements, but not universal and immutable laws. The author substantiates her claims by using both textual and archaeological evidence as sources. One aspect the author notes is that women's experiences varied with respect to their status and circumstances. I find her claims credible since she uses various types of evidence and contemporary methods of analysis.

Fantham, Elaine, et al. Women in the Classical World: Image and Text. New York: Oxford University Press, 1994.

Elaine Fantham is an esteemed classical scholar who primarily conducts research pertaining to the field of ancient literature and gender roles. As for this article, the scholars make an assertion that most images of women found in the literary works of antiquity depict the perception of men rather than reality. The authors draw their conclusion after a careful analysis of different literary sources and comparing the findings with real historical data. The reason why the argument is compelling lies in the fact that it carefully analyzes primary sources instead of blindly taking them as facts, which can be hard to come by.

Blundell, Sue. Women in Ancient Greece. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1995.

Dr. Sue Blundell is an expert on Greek history whose areas of research include gender studies. According to Blundell, women's roles were influenced by factors such as social status, laws, and cultural attitudes. To support her arguments, the author uses a wide range of primary sources including literary texts, philosophies, and history. Women did not have the same experiences across different classes. However, despite the limitations imposed on women in general, Dr. Blundell gives an in-depth analysis of the subject. Therefore, this piece of work provides valuable insights into the topic since it takes into consideration the complexity of the issue while avoiding simplistic statements.

Pomeroy, Sarah B. Goddesses, Whores, Wives, and Slaves: Women in Classical Antiquity. New York: Schocken Books, 1975.

Dr. Sarah B. Pomeroy is an acclaimed historian who specializes in the area of women in ancient times. In this book, the author tries to establish that the position of women in Ancient Greece and Rome was not only more important but also more complicated than what history has traditionally recognized. The author backs up her thesis through primary sources such as legal papers, literary texts, and inscriptions. The author disputes the male-dominated approach to history that has been followed by historians before her time. Her argument is very compelling, and it is important to look back on history with an accurate lens.

Lefkowitz, Mary R., and Maureen B. Fant. Women's Life in Greece and Rome: A Source Book in Translation. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2005.

Mary Lefkowitz is an academic whose areas of expertise are ancient literature and the history of women. In the sourcebook, together with Maureen Fant, she makes a point regarding women by stating that one must engage directly with texts in order to understand the lives of women during those times. Lefkowitz and Fant provide a compilation and discussion of a variety of sources, all of which come complete with background information. Sources used in the article are varied and include literary, legal, and historical documents. The strength of their argument lies in the fact that scholars have engaged directly with these documents.