Neither Ancient Greece nor Rome’s Republic or Empire granted women full legal or citizenship rights, nor did they grant easy access to social roles outside of the domestic or religious arenas. Nevertheless, women found ways to meet and challenge the expectations of both societies. Moreover, the laws and customs that governed women’s lives could and did vary widely, depending on the century and locality. This reference resource surveys the complex and fascinating history of women in the classical world.

The book begins with a timeline charting the most important events in the history of Greek and Roman women, as well as a narrative history that explores the experiences, struggles, and achievements of women in the ancient world. A selection of primary source documents, each accompanied by an explanatory headnote, provides first-hand accounts of the lives of women. Alphabetically arranged reference entries then give objective, fundamental information about topics related to the history of women in the classical world. The entries include cross-references and suggestions for further reading, and the book closes with a selected, general bibliography.

Features

• A timeline highlights key events in the life of Greek and Roman women
• A narrative history explores the lives of women in Ancient Greece and Rome
• Primary source documents offer first-hand accounts of the life of women in the classical world
• Reference entries provide objective, fundamental information about topics related to women in the classical world
• Entry bibliographies and a selected, general bibliography direct users to additional sources of information