No matter how much historians discuss the importance of the symposium; the truth is that it was no more than an excuse for men to party without their wives.(TM)

‘No matter how much historians discuss the importance of the symposium; the truth is that it was no more than an excuse for men to party without their wives.’

Is this a fair assessment of a symposium in Ancient Greece?

At a glance it may seem that symposium was just a drinking party where men could abandon their wives just to enjoy themselves, but there was more to symposium than just this aspect, and they were to some extent fundamental to Athenian life.

First of all, the symposium would commence with serious discussion about politics, business and important issues affecting Athens, the oikos and everybody’s welfare in general. This discussion could have led to production and development of the Greek society and physical aspects of the city such as buildings and monuments. Aside from this, they also could have discussed wedding arrangements for their sons and daughters, so they were an important aspect in family life and the continuation of the oikos.

The symposia were a very important source of relaxation in a society without modern technology and modern forms of communication and leisure. It was a chance for the men to wind down after a long day at work in the city, which the woman would not have had to do. It was also the only time that men from other households got together and catch up on how everyone else was getting on business-wise and socially.

However, the women were excluded from these parties, when they were actually the ones who did not get to see or meet anyone else ...