Digital Maps of the Ancient World

Women in Ancient Greece

Embark on a journey through the lives and experiences of women in ancient Greece with our curated reading list, offering a nuanced exploration of their roles, contributions, and societal dynamics.

Delve into works by esteemed scholars such as Pomeroy, Chrystal, and Ancona, whose groundbreaking research illuminates the diverse aspects of women’s lives in the ancient Hellenic world. From the domestic sphere to religious rituals, political influence, and artistic expression, our selection of texts provides a comprehensive examination of the complex intersections of gender, class, and power in ancient Greek society. Uncover the stories of influential women such as Aspasia of Athens, Sappho of Lesbos, and Cleopatra VII of Egypt, whose legacies continue to inspire and intrigue. Whether you’re interested in the role of women in Athenian democracy, the portrayal of female characters in literature and mythology, or the everyday experiences of women across different social strata, our reading list offers invaluable insights into the rich tapestry of women’s lives in ancient Greece.

General

  • Ancona, R. & Tsouvala, G., New Directions in the Study of Women in the Greco-Roman World, New York, 2021.
  • Blundell, S., Women in Ancient Greece, London, 1995.
  • Chrystal, P., Women in Ancient Greece: Seclusion, Exclusion, or Illusion?, Oxford, 2017.
  • Klinck, A.L., Woman’s Songs in Ancient Greece, Montreal, 2008.
  • Macdonald, F., Women in Ancient Greece, New York, 1999.
  • MacLachlan, B., Women in Ancient Greece: a Sourcebook, London, 2013.

Further Reading

  • Ducrey, P., ‘War in the Feminine in Ancient Greece’ in Women and war in antiquity, Baltimore, 2015, 181-199.
  • Figueira, T.J., ‘Gynecocracy: how women policed masculine behaviour in archaic and classical Sparta’ in Sparta: the body politic, Swansea, 2010.
  • Franco, C., Shameless: the Caninine and the Feminine in Ancient Greece, Berkeley, 2015.
  • Kapparis, K.A., Women in the Law Courts of Classical Athens, Edinburgh, 2021.
  • Karanika, A., Voices at Work: Women, Performance, and Labor in Ancient Greece, Baltimore, 2014.
  • Loman, P., ‘No Woman No War: Women’s Participation in Ancient Greek Warfare’ in Greece & Rome 51, 2004, 34-54.
  • Lyons, D.J., Dangerous Gifts: Gender and Exchange in Ancient Greece, Austin, 2012.
  • Pomeroy, S.B., Spartan Women, Oxford, 2002.
  • Schaps, D., ‘The Women of Greece in Wartime’ in Classical Philology 77, 1982, 193-213.