We can be sure that women did this kind of job as we have evidence, these being vases. On these vases were paintings of women with their knee guards and wool. Although these paintings were rather worn out, we could just make out that they were spinning. The women spun with a distaff and spindle; again this was seen on the vases.
As well as making the cloth, the women sometimes dyed the cloth if it was necessary; this was done by dyes made from lichen, onions, berries, leaves and etc.
Women also washed the family’s clothes; this depended on the size of the house. If the house was big and consisted of many slaves, then the slaves would do the clothes laundry. However if the house was small with not so many slaves, then the women would do this. They did this by beating the dirt out of the cloth with wooden sticks and water.
Other works were such as looking after the children, cleaning the house, and teaching daughters respectable skills, (such as cleaning and spinning).
Looking after the children would be vital; the women would need to raise their children in a way so that they were suitable heirs for their father’s fortune and responsibility.
Cooking was a very important responsibility; the women of the house took pride in their cooking. However if the husband had organised a party to take place, then he would hire an excellent chef from the cooking street for the day; this was so the wife would not have to cook for hours for the guests. Women would also take pride in there cooking equipment.
Along with cooking, the women would sometimes need to collect water from the fountain; they would take buckets to fill up. Next to the fountain would be the court where all the men would gather to talk. As the women were unaware of what happens in the business, they would try to listen in and get news to gossip about. Collecting water was a very rare occasion when women were allowed outside the house into public premises.
To conclude, women were kept at the side of society and civilization, the only women who really were known to local men were the prostitutes. All married women were used to do work and jobs, they were like tools. Although this was their role this is what was expected of them in society, making them not any less of standard compared to men.
What Differences, If Any, Can You See Between The Life Of An Athenian And A Modern Married Woman?
There are a lot of differences between modern married women now and Athenian women.
In the Athenian age men were sexist and thought that all business work should be theirs and cleaning and household jobs should be left to women. It is assumed that they thought that women were weak and not that talented as they men were.
Now however, in the modern age, it has all changed. Women are not relied on household jobs as it used to be. The can be presidents and leaders unlike before, and most importantly they have been found to have the same talent as men have, and are treated equally.
