고대 아테네에서 농경제의에 나타난 여성의 의례적 기능

Abstract

This article is to explore some aspects of two rituals that of the Thesmophoria rites and that of the Dionysus. These rituals were confined mainly or only to women. Both rituals have similar ritual characteristics related to the seasonal cycle of agriculture and nature, but one provides a paradoxical function that strengthens social norms and the other provides conflicting ideological functions that resist social norms. Religious life was an important activity for women. Ancient Athenian women have been forced to remain silent or located in the periphery by being otherized in the gender structure. Women were able to get out of their homes during religious participation, but their religious activities act as a mechanism to suppress women and to maintain a paternal society. In the rituals of Tesmoporia and Dionysus, women break away from male oppressive structures and relieve sexual deviance and dissatisfaction with desires. In the rituals of Tesmoporia, the ritual function of women was to strengthen the social role assigned to women and it shows a dual effect of justifying the paternal society. Ultimately, these religious rites constructed a particular gender identity for women. (Jeju National University / mhkyung@jejunu.ac.kr)