Woman: Her Position and Influence in Ancient Greece and Rome, and among the Early Christians

In treating of Greek women I can only select prominent periods. And the first that comes before us is the Homeric. And here we require all the power of transporting ourselves into different times that we can command; for the phenomena are singular and unique.

If we look at the external position of women, we must place the Homeric age exceedingly low in civilization. Women have almost no rights; they are entirely under the power of man, and they live in continual uncertainty as to what their destiny may be. The woman may be a princess, brought up in a wealthy and happy home; but she knows that strangers may come and carry her off, and that she may therefore at some time be a slave in another man’s house.