Abstract
The paper analyzes role and reputation, words and behaviors, duties and activities of the female figures described and quoted in Plutarch’s Apophthegmata Laconica. Depending on status and context, the role played by women in Spartan families and society seems to be fundamental for several reasons, in crucial situations and in different historical periods. And Plutarch, relating anecdotes, customs and sayings of the Spartans, allows to identify a remarkable variety of perspectives on women and their field of action. So, the internal and external focus on Spartan women’s everyday life helps to show the female loyalty to a Spartan ‘system of values’, through a series of aphorisms that outline the contribution of women to the historical and political experience, tradition and literary narration of Sparta over the centuries.
Highlights
Depending on status and context, the role played by women in Spartan families and society seems to be fundamental for several reasons, in crucial situations and in Humanitas 77 (2021) 71-96
The internal and external focus on Spartan women’s everyday life helps to show the female loyalty to a Spartan ‘system of values’, through a series of aphorisms that outline the contribution of women to the historical and political experience, tradition and literary narration of Sparta over the centuries
(2019b), Plutarco, La virtù delle donne (Mulierum virtutes)
Summary
Texto recebido em / Text submitted on: 03/10/2020 Texto aprovado em / Text approved on: 13/07/2021. Riassunto Lo studio esamina il ruolo e la reputazione, le parole e la condotta, i doveri e le attività delle figure femminili descritte e citate negli Apophthegmata Laconica di Plutarco. A seconda dello status e del contesto, il ruolo occupato dalle donne in seno alle famiglie e alla società spartana sembra essere di rilievo per molteplici ragioni, in momenti cruciali e in differenti periodi storici. Ed il punto di vista esplicitato dall’autore mediante aneddoti, abitudini e detti degli Spartani aiuta ad identificare una varietà di prospettive sulle donne il cui campo di azione delinea un’estrema fedeltà al sistema valoriale cittadino, estrinsecata tramite aforismi che tratteggiano il contributo femminile all’esperienza storico-politica, tradizione e narrazione letteraria di Sparta nel corso dei secoli. Parole chiave: Plutarco, Apophthegmata Laconica, donne, Sparta, prospettive
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