Roman Women Vs Medieval Women
Kevin McKenzie
Mrs. Drogos
AP European History
29 August 2014 Throughout recorded history, women have generally been assigned a role inferior to males. In both the days of Rome (753 BC – 476 AD) and of Medieval Europe (~500-1485 AD), patriarchy reigned. While acknowledging this fact, the question can be asked: What constitutes a better position in society for women? A better position in society is composed primarily of freedoms, rights, and education. Although women, both Roman and Medieval, were almost entirely subject to the authority of their fathers and husbands, Roman women possessed superior socioeconomic standing compared to their Medieval counterparts, beginning with their childhood education and continuing into adulthood …show more content…
Medieval women fared no better, completely dominated by male members of their family while unmarried. They were expected to instantly obey any command given by a male member of the family. Any unruly behavior often resulted in harsh beatings (Alchen). Roman women experienced abuses too, for it was common and completely within the law for men to beat their wives (Shelton). Also, only men reserved the right to have a voice in politics in medieval society. Women had no right to vote, and there is little evidence that they had any sway in society whatsoever. Roman women, however, while still unable to vote, did have an influence in the political realm. The repealing of the Oppian Law is a prime example of this. The Oppian law was put into action by Gaius Oppius after Rome was defeated by Hannibal at Cannae in 216 BC with the intent to reduce spending on luxury items. In essence, this law stated “no woman should possess more than half an ounce of gold, wear a dress dyed in a variety of colors, or ride in a horse-drawn carriage in a city or town or within a mile of it except on holy days” (Kamm). In 195 BC it was proposed by two tribunes to the tribal assembly that the law should be repealed, but the …show more content…
"Middle Ages Women." Lordsandladies.org. Web. 29 Aug. 2014.
Balsdon, J. P. V. D. Roman Women: Their History and Habits. New York: John Day, 1963. Print.
Kamm, Antony. "The Role of Women." The Romans: An Introduction. 26 June 2008. Web. 28 Aug. 2014. <http://www.the-romans.co.uk/women.htm>.
Livius, Titus. "Livy 34.4-7." Arizona.edu. Trans. H. Bettenson. Penguin. Web. 2014.
Mason, Moya K. "Ancient Roman Women: A Look at Their Lives." Moyak.com. MKM Research. Web. 29 Aug. 2014.
Newman, Simon. "Education in the Middle Ages." Thefinertimes.com. Web. 28 Aug. 2014.
"Sex and Spouses: Marriage, Pleasure, and Consumation." Brown.edu. Brown University, 31 Jan. 2011. Web. 29 Aug. 2014.
Shelton, Jo-Ann. As the Romans Did: A Source Book in Roman Social History. New York: Oxford UP, 1988. Print.
Trueman, Chris. "Medieval Education." Historylearningsite.co.uk. 2006. Web. 27 Aug. 2014.
"Women in the Middle Ages." Camelot International: Britain's Heritage and History. Camelot International. Web. 29 Aug.
Mrs. Drogos
AP European History
29 August 2014 Throughout recorded history, women have generally been assigned a role inferior to males. In both the days of Rome (753 BC – 476 AD) and of Medieval Europe (~500-1485 AD), patriarchy reigned. While acknowledging this fact, the question can be asked: What constitutes a better position in society for women? A better position in society is composed primarily of freedoms, rights, and education. Although women, both Roman and Medieval, were almost entirely subject to the authority of their fathers and husbands, Roman women possessed superior socioeconomic standing compared to their Medieval counterparts, beginning with their childhood education and continuing into adulthood …show more content…
Medieval women fared no better, completely dominated by male members of their family while unmarried. They were expected to instantly obey any command given by a male member of the family. Any unruly behavior often resulted in harsh beatings (Alchen). Roman women experienced abuses too, for it was common and completely within the law for men to beat their wives (Shelton). Also, only men reserved the right to have a voice in politics in medieval society. Women had no right to vote, and there is little evidence that they had any sway in society whatsoever. Roman women, however, while still unable to vote, did have an influence in the political realm. The repealing of the Oppian Law is a prime example of this. The Oppian law was put into action by Gaius Oppius after Rome was defeated by Hannibal at Cannae in 216 BC with the intent to reduce spending on luxury items. In essence, this law stated “no woman should possess more than half an ounce of gold, wear a dress dyed in a variety of colors, or ride in a horse-drawn carriage in a city or town or within a mile of it except on holy days” (Kamm). In 195 BC it was proposed by two tribunes to the tribal assembly that the law should be repealed, but the …show more content…
"Middle Ages Women." Lordsandladies.org. Web. 29 Aug. 2014.
Balsdon, J. P. V. D. Roman Women: Their History and Habits. New York: John Day, 1963. Print.
Kamm, Antony. "The Role of Women." The Romans: An Introduction. 26 June 2008. Web. 28 Aug. 2014. <http://www.the-romans.co.uk/women.htm>.
Livius, Titus. "Livy 34.4-7." Arizona.edu. Trans. H. Bettenson. Penguin. Web. 2014.
Mason, Moya K. "Ancient Roman Women: A Look at Their Lives." Moyak.com. MKM Research. Web. 29 Aug. 2014.
Newman, Simon. "Education in the Middle Ages." Thefinertimes.com. Web. 28 Aug. 2014.
"Sex and Spouses: Marriage, Pleasure, and Consumation." Brown.edu. Brown University, 31 Jan. 2011. Web. 29 Aug. 2014.
Shelton, Jo-Ann. As the Romans Did: A Source Book in Roman Social History. New York: Oxford UP, 1988. Print.
Trueman, Chris. "Medieval Education." Historylearningsite.co.uk. 2006. Web. 27 Aug. 2014.
"Women in the Middle Ages." Camelot International: Britain's Heritage and History. Camelot International. Web. 29 Aug.