...Gender Differences in Early Civilizations The treatment of men and women was a big part of ancient societies as it is today. In all the different areas of living, masculinity and femininity are seen in drastically different ways. In ancient civilizations, gender played a great role in the way people were treated. In some cultures like ancient Egypt, women and men were treated equally for the most part. In other cultures, such as ancient Rome and China women were treated far worse than men. Different civilizations had very different ways and reasons for the treatment of women in comparison to men. Both of them had different everyday lives based on their gender roles and how the society viewed each gender. Gender difference existed in ancient...
Words: 1493 - Pages: 6
...Lesko’s “Women’s Monumental Mark on Ancient Egypt” Barbara Lesko’s article argues the fact that women in ancient Egypt were as important figures as the men were. The title suggests that women left a monumental mark, such as tomb chapels and temples, rather than just an impact on ancient Egypt. Though Lesko’s argument tries to portray women of great power and ranking, being director of the dining hall for example is not a position to be exuberant about. Lesko’s argument did not persuade me into believing the supposed unbelievable power women held; not counting the few royal women. However the abundant presence of art and architecture dealing with women in ancient Egypt is surprising. Lesko’s main argument dealt with women of ancient Egypt supposedly holding the same power and rights as the men. A strong point that exemplifies her argument is the presence of female art depicting women sitting beside their husbands rather than standing behind them. The importance of men and women being portrayed side by side shows equality between the two, rather than a portrayal of a woman servicing her man. Another strong point within Lesko’s argument is the fact that women had statuettes and life-sized statues dedicated to their obvious importance to ancient Egyptian society. Having life-sized statues of women is a bold statement that exemplifies the importance women held in society in conjunction with men. However, Lesko’s argument contains some problematic points such as women holding the...
Words: 638 - Pages: 3
...Women’s Role in Ancient Times HIS 103 World Civilizations I Women's Role in Ancient times A woman in today’s society is somewhat equal to a man’s but the treatment of women in ancient times were strict and women had no rights as compared to men. During the Ancient times, there was the misconception of women and the different roles they played. They were to stay at home and took care of their households and such other womanly duties that were deemed appropriate for their gender during those periods. Also, it was very important for a woman to know the laws and requirements of their roles and how those roles were perceived in a society. In many countries, the women had similarities, and a few differences. Although time has progressed and there are some roles that are no longer in existence, the women of today and ancient times still have things in common. For example, women still have the role of caring for their children, instilling family values, and commitment to sacred vowels of matrimony. Throughout history, there are many cultures that shared the same common beliefs about the role of women. Women in the countries like China, Egypt, Rome, and the Mesopotamian society are a few places that women’s cultures are shared with common similarities but there are some with different aspects. Women were considered weaker than men and were unable to perform work that requires muscular or intellectual development. Because of this, women were restrained to accomplishing light...
Words: 2213 - Pages: 9
...Geyer Ancient World History Rough Draft 11/8/2014 In most civilizations in the ancient world, there were vast differences between the lives of men and women. For example, women could not serve in the Roman Senate, own property in ancient Greece, or ask for divorce. All of these rules existed while men had the ability to do all of these things. The life of a woman in the ancient world was in no way equal to men in most societies. The Egyptians believed that joy and happiness were of the utmost importance in life, and regarded the home and family as a major source of happiness. This meant that the Egyptian’s thought better of women who did not work, and took care of the home and family. All other ancient civilizations had one thing in common. Mesopotamia, Rome, Greece, and Israel were all surrounded by other sets of people. This meant that these other civilizations had to be warlike societies, and this meant women would have less of a role because men believed women could not fight as well in battle. Egypt developed under unique circumstances. The Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea separated the Egyptians from everyone else in the ancient world. In other words, the Egyptians did not have a warlike society because training like that was unnecessary. Since there was no need for a warlike society in Egypt, women had a more established role in society. Women’s rights in Egypt were more equal to men than other civilizations because of the unique circumstances under which Egypt developed...
Words: 2126 - Pages: 9
...Book Citation Pomeroy, Sarah. Women in Hellenistic Egypt: from Alexander to Cleopatra (New York: Schocken Books), 1984. Author’s Goal The author’s goal in writing this book is to inform people about ancient women, focusing more on Egypt and sounding areas in the earliest centuries, from 2nd century through the 4th. Women were not very popular in ancient times; therefore people know less about them compared to men. Because of this lack of information many people argue about the status of ancient women. That is why Pomeroy wrote this book, she wants to provide as much information about ancient women as she could, to inform her readers. Pomeroy also tends to focus on the women who achieved great goals in life, as to say that even women in...
Words: 1990 - Pages: 8
...Running head: WOMEN’S STATUS IN EGYPT Women’s Status in Egypt Women’s Status in Egypt Introduction Modern Egypt is like its dynastic counterpart, drawing sustenance from the Nile River. Today, as in the ancient period, most of the country’s population is concentrated along the river, fully 20% of it around Cairo. Modern Egyptian society is identified not with the ancient civilization but with the Arab culture is overwhelmingly identified with Islam, the religion followed by 90% of Egypt’s population (Library). Much about women’s position in modern Egypt can be traced to a famous verse of the Koran: Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because the support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband’s) absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (next), refuse to share their beds, (and last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them means (of annoyance): for Allah is Most High, Great (above you all) (Koran 4.34) Islam is strongly implicated in the generally inferior and subordinate social position of women. Particularly among the rural and lower socioeconomic classes – largely illiterate – an ethos of patriarchy predicated of Islamic law, or the sharia, has long been standard custom and practice. Over the course...
Words: 2203 - Pages: 9
...November 19, 2013 Egypt When people think of Egypt they think of pyramids, camels passing by, desert with no food and water that however, is far from what Egypt really is like. The name of the culture for Egypt is called The Republic of Egypt, Egypt is located in northern Africa bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and the Garza Strip and the Red Sea north of Sudan, and includes the Asian Sinai Peninsula (http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/print/eg.html). “About 10,000 years ago, people started near the Nile River.” (http://www.tooter4kids.com/Egypt/FunFacts.htm) This civilization is one we know today as Egypt. As one of the first civilizations, Egypt has a lot of background. Egypt was one of the first civilizations when people finally gave up their nomadic way of life. The Nile River was a good place to start a civilization because of the fertile soil. Today the Nile is a big source of wealth for the Egyptians and other people of this region just like it was in the ancient times. Without the Nile all of Egypt would be a hot and dry dessert. The Nile stretches for 4,145 miles. It is the longest river in the world. It flows from the South to the North. It originates near the equator in Africa and flows through the countries of Rwanda, Zaire, Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Egypt before emptying into the Mediterranean Sea. Egypt today is a republic with a parliamentary government, a president as head of state and a judicial system based on British common...
Words: 2089 - Pages: 9
...Women in the Ancient World From the very beginning of time, women have played a very significant role in development and advancement of life, serving as the companion for men as well as procreating with them to ensure the world would be inhabited and settled. In present-day society, we view women as essential to everyday life. Society sees and treats women as intelligent individuals who are equally efficient for most of the same work and intellectual skills as men. In most cases, we believe that women and men are equal, as women are able to legally run for and hold government offices, perform physical labor, work in medical professions, and basically anything they desire so long as, like anyone else, they attain the required certifications, education, etc. However, this outlook on women’s roles and abilities was not always shared among the social order. Throughout history, women’s roles in society, economy, government and culture have evolved and shifted dramatically. Throughout each culture and society in the ancient world, we find differences in the way women were treated, the responsibilities expected of them, and their learned place in the social order. Women featured in Homer’s The Iliad were some of some earliest examples of women being viewed with poor outlooks in the eyes of men in Greek culture. David Harvey claims that Aristotle had no doubt that women were inferior in this particular society (Harvey, 46). They were mainly viewed as prizes throughout Homer’s...
Words: 1398 - Pages: 6
...become an organised sport until the early 19th century. AN ANCIENT DISCIPLINE Prehistoric man learnt to swim in order to cross rivers and lakes – we know this because cave paintings from the Stone Age depicting swimmers have been found in Egypt. Swimming was also referred to in Greek mythology. DAWN OF A SPORT Swimming was not widely practised until the early 19th century, when the National Swimming Society of Great Britain began to hold competitions. Most early swimmers used the breaststroke, or a form of it. DISCOVERING THE CRAWL Based on a stroke used by native South Americans, the first version of the crawl featured a scissor kick. In the late 1880s, an Englishman named Frederick Cavill travelled to the South Seas, where he saw the natives performing a crawl with a flutter kick. Cavill settled in Australia, where he taught the stroke that was to become the famous Australian crawl. OLYMPIC HISTORY Swimming has featured on the programme of all editions of the Games since 1896. The very first Olympic events were freestyle (crawl) or breaststroke. Backstroke was added in 1904. In the 1940s, breaststrokers discovered that they could go faster by bringing both arms forward over their heads. This practice was immediately forbidden in breaststroke, but gave birth to butterfly, whose first official appearance was at the 1956 Games in Melbourne. This style is now one of the four strokes used in competition. Women’s swimming became Olympic in 1912 at the Stockholm Games. Since...
Words: 320 - Pages: 2
...Cleopatra, the final ruler of Egypt, was an immoral temptress that would let nothing and no one stand in her way of power. Although some believe her to be an intelligent role model in history for women’s rights she was absolutely nothing of the sort. Of course, she was intelligently educated, but she mainly seduced world leaders in order to acclaim the power she thirsted. So basically she was a prostitute that was being paid in power for her services. Not exactly the ideal role model. Cleopatra had an interesting early life. First off, she was born in Egypt in 69 BC. One important fact to note is that she was not even of Egyptian descent; in fact, she was of the Greek lineage. Her ancestor, Ptolemy 1 Soter, happened to be one of Alexander...
Words: 1554 - Pages: 7
...primary subject of the gender discussion, and Islam, as the foremost engine to drive the social scene across the Middle Eastern peninsula co-exist to create an unprecedented dynamic in the Middle East. This research paper will attempt to progressively reveal and discuss related subjects in order to create a transitional framework for a relevant understanding of the gender and social dynamic of the Middle East. As an outline, this paper will begin by briefly discussing the global role of women from a gender and sexuality perspective. It will then analyze how such roles are portrayed and what movements exist in order to effect the global perception. More specifically, a discussion on the progress made by Middle Eastern women in terms of the women's movement will ensue. A brief historical perspective will be provided followed by arguably the most vivacious debate in the world today: how Islam directly affects women and social change in the Middle East, but also how it indirectly affects the gender social...
Words: 3335 - Pages: 14
...The legend of King Minos takes place in Ancient Greece, on the island of Crete. In this legend, a beast with the head of a bull and the body of a man, called a Minotaur, roams a labyrinth and eats those who enter. King Minos reigned on Crete after the King of Athens killed his son. Minos demanded every nine years, seven young men and seven young women from Athens would go to the palace at Knossos. The young people would go into the labyrinth to be eaten by the Minotaur. One of the people sent into the Labyrinth was a young man named Theseus. He was in love with the daughter of Minos, Ariadne. She gave him a spool of thread so he would be able to retrace his steps and make it safely out of the Labyrinth. Theseus did just that, and killed the...
Words: 919 - Pages: 4
...relatives. Hence the elaborate regimen for various ornaments and equal importance is given to wearing anklets. An anklet, also called ankle chain or ankle bracelet, is an ornament worn around the anklet. It may be worn tight like a leather strap or may dangle an inch or two. Anklets have been worn for thousands of years within different cultures. Sometimes the ankle bracelet has a significant meaning, while other anklets are worn just for beauty. Even today, people enjoy the sparkle of a dainty ankle bracelet and wear all types, from a slim silver one to a more chunky costume jewellery anklet. Anklets have always enhanced the dainty and feminine side of elegance. They are an important part of women’s adornment in the Indian culture though they have also been found in other ancient cultures of Egypt and Middle East. Anklets are a part of ornamentation and have great spiritual and social significance. However, apart from their aesthetic value the basic motive of the anklet is to draw attention to the wearer’s legs and feet. These historically have been worn for centuries by girls and women in India, where it is commonly known...
Words: 2298 - Pages: 10
...Relationships between Families by Hammurabi’s Law Relationships between Families by Hammurabi’s Law Hammurabi laws deal with all aspects of everyday life, and it describes both major and minor offenses and their punishments. It is one of the first written codes of law in history, and it is the longest code that has been discovered. The laws were made to equalize society, establish justice and fairness, bring about the rule of righteousness, and protect the weak from the strong. However, the rich and poor, men and women, and elites and commoners were treated differently under the law. This deepened the social hierarchy and distinctions between classes and genders, which soon became normal and accepted in society. L. W. King states that “Hammurabi laws also influenced the need for one, powerful leader. It used the political power to generate bonds between the people of different races and backgrounds. The Code of Hammurabi was developed by the Babylonian ruler, Hammburabi. He ruled Babylon, which he expanded to cover most of Mesopotamia, from 1792-1750 BCE. Laws, judgments, and decrees were incorporated into the 282 laws that make up the code. The code was given to Hammurabi by the sun God, Shamash. The Babylonian God, Marduk, facilitated Hammurabi's rule. He gave Hammurabi the authority to rule Babylon. Also, the code gave people moral standards, created distinct social classes, and worked to create equality. It was supposed to "protect the weak from the strong", but it in...
Words: 1874 - Pages: 8
...other harmful procedure to female genitals for nonmedical purposes. 85% of women who have had female genital mutilation have had type one or type two performed. The practice significantly affects females the sexuality of those that have had it performed to them. Woman can be severally affected because removal of part of the vagina or clitoris has many negative physical and psychological affects. The physical effects that can happen are severe bleeding, problems urinating, cysts, infections, infertility as well as complications in childbirth and increased newborn deaths. Female genital mutilation can take some or all pleasure away from sex. It also reduces orgasms and can take away their rights as females to have children. Female genital mutilation is a violation of human right that The World Health Organization views a deep rooted inequality between the sexes. It is carried out usually on minors and affects sexual development. Overtime the view on female genital mutilation has changed significantly the first time that female genital mutilation...
Words: 1725 - Pages: 7
