Read the quote about women in Roman society.

Question

“[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. Make it sound like a normal 7th grader.

Answer 1

In ancient Rome, women had more power and responsibilities at home compared to women in ancient Greece. In Rome, the matron, or the woman of the house, was in charge of managing everything that happened within the household. This meant she took care of the family, organized events, and oversaw the servants.

In contrast, Greek women, especially during the time of Pericles, had a much more limited role. They were usually expected to stay inside the home and had very little freedom to leave or make decisions about family matters. They weren't allowed to own property and had to depend on their fathers or husbands.

Another example is that Roman women could own property and even run their own businesses or make money. Some of them were even able to inherit wealth, which was rare in Greece. Even though women in both societies didn't have the same rights as men, Roman women had more influence and independence within their homes and sometimes even in society. This is why it's clear that the position of women in Rome was different and, to some extent, better than that of women in Greece.

Answer 2

Make it 1-3 sentences.

Answer 3

In ancient Rome, women had more power in their households, acting as the mistresses and managing family affairs, while in ancient Greece, women were often confined to the home and had very limited rights. Roman women could own property and sometimes even run businesses, which was much more freedom compared to Greek women, who were usually dependent on their male relatives. This shows that the position of women in Roman society was quite different and more influential than that of their Greek counterparts.