The Hellenistic Homemaker Essay -- Marriage Athenian Women Papers

The Hellenistic HomemakerIn both Xenophons Oeconomicus and Lysias defense of Euphiletus murder of Eratosthenes, insight into the purpose and function of Athenian trade union may be gained by examination of the speeches of two citizens about their wives and their homes. Through both texts, it be bewilders apparent that the citizens value of his wife is based upon his wifes ability as an oikonomikos or skilled household wieldr (Strauss, 3). It is through filling this role as her husbands housekeeper that an Athenian woman go through a loss of personal freedom and found herself trapped within a marri come along in which she had little contact or much in common with her husband. A womans role as oikonomikos is described by Euphiletus address of an Athenian citizen-jury and by Socrates discourse with Ischomachos, through which he strives to earn the best way by which a household may be managed. An Athenian marriage was formed to unite a household, or oikos, with an overseer to manage it. This housekeeper was responsible for maintaining the wealth of the oikos, serving as manager over the servants of the oikos, and, by providing heirs, assuring that the oikos would continue to exist and grow in the future. Socrates believed that while the possessions usually come into the house through the mans actions, they are expended for the most part in the course of the womans housekeeping and when these things turn out well, the households join on (Xenophon, III.11). A good oikonomikos was essential for the proper function of the home. Marriage existed as a business agreement between a husband and his in-laws, who negotiated it, and between a husband and his wife, who maintained it. The marriage was first arranged bet... ...en is well described through the requirements of being a good housekeeper- they must be young, uneducated, fertile, submissive, and remain in the home. In rank to fill these roles well, Xenophon, in his Oeconomicos, and Lysias, through his defen se of Euphiletus, show that women must necessarily experience a loss of freedom in order to maintain the virtues of an oikonomikos, and that also as a result of filling this house-manager role, they are so far removed from their husbands mentally and in daily experience because of age and custom, that romantic love would be inhibited. Works CitedFreeman, Kathleen. The Murder of Herodes and Other Trials from the Athenian Law Courts. Indianapolis Hackett Publishing Company, Inc. 1991. Strauss, Leo. Xenophons Socratic Discourse An Interpretation of the Oeconomicus. Ithaca Cornell University Press.