Read the quote about women in Roman society.
"[T]he position of the Roman matron was quite different from that of the Greek matron in the 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.
The evidence to support the author's claim that the position of Roman women was different from that of Greek women includes:
1. Household authority: In Roman society, the women, known as matrons, held significant power and authority within their households. They were in charge of managing domestic affairs, including overseeing slaves, organizing household duties, and managing finances. This is in contrast to Greek matrons, who had limited household authority and were primarily responsible for managing the inner workings of the family.
2. Patriarchal structure: In Greek society, women were generally seen as subordinate to men. They had limited opportunities for education or participation in public life, and their primary role was focused on child-rearing and managing the household. In Roman society, while women were still generally considered subordinate to men, they had more rights and opportunities compared to Greek women. Roman women could inherit property, engage in business ventures, and play a significant role in the religious sphere, including participating in public rites and festivals.
3. Legal status: In Greece, women had limited legal rights and were often considered the property of male family members, such as fathers and husbands. In Rome, women had more legal protection and rights, including the ability to enter into contracts, sue or be sued in court, and have some degree of control over their property. This legal recognition of women's status within Roman society further differentiates them from their Greek counterparts.
Thus, the evidence suggests that the position of Roman women was indeed different from that of Greek women, with Roman women having more authority in household affairs, relatively more rights, and greater legal recognition.