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JA6. Greek vs Roman Society

Statement

In Unit 2 of this course, you studied the position of women and slaves in Greek city-states. Based on your previous learning and readings from this unit, answer the following questions.

  • Do you think that the life of a Greek Slave was better than that of a Roman slave? Give reasons to justify your answer.
  • Do you think Roman women were more active members of society than the women in Greece? Elaborate using examples.

Answer

This text will start by introducing the position of women and slaves in Greece; then, in Rome. Then it will compare the position of slaves in Greece and Rome, followed by a comparison of the position of women in both societies. Finally, it will conclude by summarizing the main points of the comparison.

Women and Slaves in Greece

Greek society was strictly classified into three groups: citizens, foreigners (free but non-citizens), and slaves. Slaves were considered a necessity for a functioning society; they were used for various tasks, such as domestic work, agriculture, and mining. Slaves were considered private property to their masters, and they had no rights or legal status. There were some slaves owned by the state to do some of its work, and it was estimated that about 40% of the population in Greece were slaves. sometimes, slaves worked as mercenaries or in the military, and some lucky ones could buy their freedom or be set free if they achieved well in their military service (Cartwright, 2018).

Women in ancient Greece were not considered citizens and were not able to vote or participate in public life. They were expected to stay at home, take care of the children, and manage the household. They get married at young ages, in an arranged marriage, and are expected to be loyal to their husbands. Divorce is possible, and can be initiated by the husband, the wife, or the wife’s father. Non-free women worked in prostitution and were divided into two categories: the Pornai, who were slaves, and the Hetairai, who were educated in music and culture and usually formed long-term relationships with their clients (Cartwright, 2018).

Women and Slaves in Rome

Slaves in Roman society were mostly divided into urban and rural slaves. Urban slaves mostly worked in domestic work, managing the businesses of their masters, and even teaching their children. Rural slaves worked in agriculture, mining, and other physical labor. Slaves were considered property and were seen as non-fully humans. Slaves were captured from the conquered territories, and some were sold in wholesome to the wealthy merchants who accumulated large numbers of slaves. Sometimes, slaves could buy their freedom, or be freed by their masters in their will. Freed slaves were not considered citizens, and slaves were not usually freed before the age of 30. Slaves also worked as gladiators until the death fights (Weird History, 2019).

The role of women in ancient Rome was no different from that in Greece; they were expected to stay at home, produce children, and raise them. Women were not allowed to vote or hold public office, but they were allowed to run businesses and own property; they were always under judicial guardians, either their fathers or husbands. Women also married at young ages, in arranged marriages, as the marriage was considered a political and economic alliance between the two families. The only public role that a woman could hold was that of the Vestal Virgins which was a religious role that involved running rituals and ceremonies in a temple. Slave women in Rome were also used in prostitution, and raping a slave was not considered a crime but rather a property crime against the owner of the slave (Aldrete, 2020).

Comparison between Greek and Roman Slaves

From the discussion above, it is clear that the life of slaves in Greece was not better than in Rome, or vice versa; as both slaveries were almost identical. In both societies, slaves were acquired from conquered territories, not limited to a race or a class, considered property, bought and sold, had no rights, and treated in harsh conditions.

One notable difference is that “Greeks saw an inferiority in the nature of the slave, while Romans considered slavery to be a matter of status”; thus slavery in Rome was a matter of legal issue rather than an intrinsic value in the person (Fortune, 2019).

Comparison between Greek and Roman Women

From the discussion above, it is clear that women had a similar position in both Greek and Roman; they were expected to stay at home, produce and raise children, be obedient to their husbands, restricted from public life, not have access to education, and sometimes used in prostitution.

However, women in Rome were allowed to run businesses and own property, and more high-class women had access to education and to become writers, poets, and teachers (Issuu, 2023); thus we can say that women in Rome were slightly more active members of society than Greece; despite some Greek city-states (like Sparta) gave women similar rights.

Conclusion

Both Greek and Roman societies had similar positions for women and slaves. Slaves were acquired from conquered territories, considered property, had no rights, and were harshly treated. Women also were inferior to men, had a household role, and were restricted from public life. However, Rome gave more rights to women than Greece, allowing them to run businesses and own property. On the matter of slavery, Romans considered slavery to be a matter of status, while Greeks saw an inferiority in the nature of the slave. Thus, One may conclude that Roman society was slightly more progressive than Greek society in both women and slaves issues.

References

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