In ancient Athens, the role of women was quite restricted compared to men. Here are some key points regarding their status:
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Citizenship: Women in Athens were citizens but had limited rights. They could be accused of being illegitimate if they could not prove their status as Athenian citizens, particularly since citizenship was often tied to their father's status.
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Equality: Women were not considered equal to men in Athenian society. They were generally seen as subordinate and had few rights in comparison to male citizens.
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Legal representation: Women could not represent themselves in court; they were often required to have a male guardian (kyrios) to act on their behalf.
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Jury service: Women did not serve as jury members in trials. Judicial duties were reserved for male citizens.
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Work: Most women were primarily responsible for managing the household and did not typically work outside the home. Some lower-class women may have taken on roles such as textile work or serving in markets, but this was not the norm for citizen women.
In summary, women in ancient Athens had a confined role centered around the home, marked by a lack of legal equality and representation in civic life.
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