Abstract
This article focuses on masculinity in relation to public space during the Greco-Roman period, and implications for Africa today. The key issues addressed include: an overview on what masculinity entailed at the said period, namely the physique, the duties and the expectations of the society on the man and the expectations of the man of self; public space as manifested through patriarchy and the related responsibilities such as procreation, headship of the family, voting, being an orator, being of service to the community, commanding the peoples respect, possessing wealth and the respective status and having military prowess. In the midst of the above high expectations and stringent demands, virtue was not to be compromised. The two virtues highlighted in this article are courage and self-control. Contemporary Africa can draw several lessons on the importance of culture, socialization and virtue from aspects of masculinity and public space during the Greco-Roman period.
Highlights
This article focuses on masculinity in relation to public space during the Greco-Roman period, and implications for Africa today
According to the Stanford Encyclopaedia of Philosophy, the Greco-Roman Period is the classical period of cultural history between the 8th century B.C. and 5th century B.C
It was a period centred around the Mediterranean Sea, comprising the interlocking civilizations of ancient Greece and ancient Rome known as the Greco-Roman world
Summary
According to the Stanford Encyclopaedia of Philosophy, the Greco-Roman Period is the classical period of cultural history between the 8th century B.C. and 5th century B.C. Many forms of expression: body appearance, gestures, voice, and so on were seen to be part of maleness and femaleness. This was manifested in a separation of reason from nature which works to divide men from their emotions and feelings which become threatening to their identities as men. For Romans even if one is born a male, if he fails to maintain character and norms attributed to a man, he is considered to be a female. This is exactly what Conway summarises by Gardner by saying “Once the boy becomes an adult, the presence or absence of male reproductive organs is not what endangers that privilege. As will be seen in 2.4 and 2.5 below, in the Greco-Roman period, courage and more so self-control which can be regarded as emotionally related, were given accolade for the men of that era
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