In ancient Greece and in Greek mythology, women endured many difficulties and hardships especially in three main areas. The problems women encountered in this era occurred within marriage, inheritance and social life. All three elements shaped and formed the mold of the submissive female.
Marriage, an idea of being with a person you love was the furthest thought from the mind of a woman living in ancient Greece. While marriage was an important decision in a woman’s life she had no control over it. In ancient Greek society females were given little voice, if any, in major decisions. They could not even choose whom to marry. When a young woman was to marry, she was “given in marriage by her male relatives and (her) choice had no legal bearing on the contract” (Sealey 5). A woman was not given the opportunity or option to pick her husband. She “did not marry; she was given in marriage” (Sealey 25). Marriage was arranged and planned by a father figure or male relative. A woman, such as Medea, often dreaded the day of her wedding rather than looking forward to it as one of the happiest and meaningful affairs in her life.
The distribution and ownership of inheritance was unfair and complicated. In ancient Greece, “a woman’s property always remained separate from her husband’s” if she had any at all (Lacey 138). As you can see, once again the male had the authority over the situation. If a relative or child were to pass away, her inheritance would go directly to the husband, instead of being shared between the husband and wife. A woman could acquire property if she “ceased to be his wife without leaving him any children” (Lacey 139). A woman could gain an inheritance under this particular circumstance but she “could not engage in transactions involving property valued at over one bushel” (Arthur 86). This limit prevented women from gaining any influence or authority in “political and economic operations” (Arthur 86). Ultimately,...