Agenda
(9/20 Quiz and Answers):
1. In his article "Sexuality in
Fifth Century Athens," Brian Arkins
states that "human sexuality in Athens
was organized to meet the needs
of the adult male citizen, whose body
was the locus of all power in the
state." What was the relationship between
sex and political power?
Sex was about the
male citizen having and using power and authority over anyone who was not
in that classification, or beneath them politically. The more political
power one had, the more young boys and women were available to you sexually.
Sex was sort of a rite of passage for young male citizens- although they
were not penetrated because that would put them on the same level as women
and male prostitutes.
2. Arkins argues that "the labels we have–homosexual,
heterosexual, even
bisexual–are utterly inadequate for describing
the situation in Athens.
Explain.
Labels were very different. Labels were not about sexual identity and people were not limited to one gender in sexual exchange. Sexual relationships did not affect identity, political position did.
3. What were the consequences for
women of the system described by
Arkins?
Women's choices were
limited in ways that men's weren't. Women were not sexually active in this
mindset, they were passive recipients. Viewed as having no desire. Women
were either wives or whores- not much of a decision. Women had very little
political power. Adultery was seen as a crime against someone else's "property".
It reflected on the husband. Women's job was to be faithful.
4. Though Sappho's poetry was widely
known and respected in the ancient
world, little of it exists today. Where
do the fragments of her poems
come from, that is, in what condition
or source have they survived?
The writings of Sappho
were not preserved. Papyrus was reused in those times, so a lot of her
work is in fragments found in book bindings and such. Most of her poetry
are two line pieces because ancient scholars would quote her to illustrate
different features of poetry.
5. In his lecture on "The Egyptian
Economy and Non-Royal Women," William
A. Ward suggests that the particular
geographical context of Egypt
created an economy in which a wider variety
of activities and legal
rights were available to women than in
other ancient societies. Explain.
There was a reliable agricultural surplus so that the wealth was more fully spread around than in other cultures at the time. The surplus of grain provided for plenty of off season economic opportunities. Essentially the stability of the society enabled more freedoms for the people- including the women.
6. In "The Women of Rome," Susan Martin
argues that, while "Turia
embodies every attribute of the perfect
Roman matron," the circumstances
of her life led her beyond those limitations.
What were those
attributes, and how did Turia supersede
them?
Turia did things in
the public sphere that were not normally associated or expected of women.
She was what you might call the perfect wife: revered her parents, took
care of other women's children, when husband died she took over all of
his business.
Web site Assignment- See Syllabus
Here are a few things talked about in class:
Each group needs to come together to make a
cohesive site. Group work is difficult so keep that in mind and do your
best to work through it.
You can use the topic you did the first paper
on and just extend the research. If you did not like the topic you wrote
about shift directions. Most importantly, make sure your paper adds to
the groups overall theme.
The purpose of the first paper was an exercise
in researching and critical thinking- now use that knowledge for a more
extensive paper.