That the ancient greeks were big misogynists is thrown around a lot,and with good reason.(I put the information about their treatment of women in the end,since most ppl know it.)
But I notice a contradiction and Im not sure if people talk about it.Isnt it weird how people could be so misogynistic yet still imagine women in positions of great power in their mythology (while also not deifining those positions by their feminity or removing their feminity)?First,The female deities and other women in Greek mythology are eligible to be treated as the main characters (or atleast equal in narrative importance to male characters) in certain narratives rather than always being the background in a male narrative like I notice in abrahamic religions (Like it talks about the men first and the women characters are often refered to as the wives of someone and that defines them,their actions are a second thought on a narrative centered around men,and stuff like that).But I might be wrong on that one.Most importantly,while women in high positions of power have existed in every mythology, women in ancient greece are allowed to hold high power without it being justified as motherly or familial duty or separate from their female nature,like I seem to notice in other powerful female deities.Female dieties in ancient greece are powerful and they like it,and it doesnt have to do with them being powerful in order to protect and decide for humans or their kids.They are confident in themselves and they like winning,they enjoy competing and fighting and proving themselves without it removing their feminity,whereas in other religions these things seem to be treated as separate from female natura,and when their female dieties fight or compete or win its usually because of divine duty rsther than something they choose to do because they consider that kind of power part of them.Idk if I explained it well but yeah.I will also mention that ancient greece has the quality of virgin godesses,whereae in other religions female gods are often defined as their status as mothers or relations to other important men.Due to their virginity many female figures of ancient greece are not defined by any of these and the narratives that come with them.Lastly,all these powerful women in greek mythology retain their feminity,Despite having traits that many other cultures seem to consider manly,their own feminity or womanly nature doesnt seem to be questioned due to their actions.
This is not to say that the mythological stories arent often misogynistic or have sexist undertones and stuff like that.Theres just an interesting distinction to how many women were able to be depicted,despite the people's misogyny and how other religions did their own depictions.I mean,Athena was Athen's number one,the biggest chick wih the biggest dick,despite Athenians being very misogynistic to mortal women.
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In Athens,the birthplace of democrasy.It was (i think) one of the first big societies where people werent ruled by the wealthy and kings, instead all the men had an equal vote and say on the politics,and would frequently gather to debate and vote on laws,taxes and foreign policy.Most public offices were filled by random lot to prevent corruption and elite dominance. Elections were used only for military generals (strategoi) and financial roles requiring specific expertise.
An overall very fair and briliant environment where everyone is given a change despite their status,as long as he was a citizen of Athens...Except for Athenian women,that is.Women were considered to have a lesser mind and werent allowed to get an aducation or participate in political life.They were legally the property of a man, would get married as teens to men twice their age and were expected to stay indoors.
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I dont know a lot about how it was in other greek city-states,but I assume they were pretty patriarchial aswell.
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Sparta is the big exception,due to its unique character-it worked like a giant millitary base.Men spent most of their lives in millitary campaigns and thus women managed a big portion of the Spartan life.They owned land,managed the house and wealth,were educated and trained their body rigorously,and married in their 20s.Their primary lore was to birth and raise good and strong citizens/soldiers.Im not sure if it fits an ideal model of equality between men and women,but its certaintly a big improvement.Sparta was still ruled by kings however,so its not like the Spartan men or anyone much in Sparta enjoyed power in the way Athenian men did.
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Anyway do correct me if Im wrong or anything major,this is supposed to be an observation rsther than an opinion so I want to have my facts right.
