THE SOCIAL STATUS OF GREEK WOMEN IN THE HELLENISTIC ERA (ATHENS AS AN EXAMPLE)

Abstract

When the situation in Greece shanged the beginning of the Hellenistic era, the city-state system has fallen, and the transformation of cities and their residents into the status of subordination to the great political powers of that time. Athens maintained some independence, which had an impact on the family and community. Women in the Hellenistic era, especially Athenian women, suffered from some unjust laws that were enacted by the famous legislator and politician Demetrius of Phalerum, which had a bad impact on the social status of women. However, these laws were soon repealed, and women relatively regained some of their independence. The research focuses on the problems of Greek women in Athens and the Greek world, including education, which is one of the important topics. The extent of freedom they enjoyed and the prominent social status that some women obtained, while showing examples of women who distinguished themselves in various social fields. The research paper also presents some social and economic problems for Greek women in general in the Hellenistic era, as well as the problem of population and wars and their impact. The status of Athenian women compared to the status of women throughout the Hellenistic world