Women and Law in Classical Greece / Edition 1

by Raphael Sealey

Overview

Based on a sophisticated reading of legal evidence, this book offers a balanced assessment of the status of women in classical Greece. Raphael Sealey analyzes the rights of women in marriage, in the control of property, and in questions of inheritance. He advances the theory that the legal disabilities of Greek women occurred because they were prohibited from bearing arms.

Sealey demonstrates that, with some local differences, there was a general uniformity in the legal treatment of women in the Greek cities. For Athens, the law of the family has been preserved in some detail in the scrupulous records of speeches delivered in lawsuits. These records show that Athenian women could testify, own property, and be tried for crime, but a male guardian had to administer their property and represent them at law. Gortyn allowed relatively more independence to the female than did Athens, and in Sparta, although women were allowed to have more than one husband, the laws were similar to those of Athens. Sealey's subsequent comparison of the law of these cities with Roman law throws into relief the common concepts and aims of Greek law of the family.

Originally published in 1990.

A UNC Press Enduring Edition — UNC Press Enduring Editions use the latest in digital technology to make available again books from our distinguished backlist that were previously out of print. These editions are published unaltered from the original, and are presented in affordable paperback formats, bringing readers both historical and cultural value.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807842621
Publisher:	The University of North Carolina Press
Publication date:	03/30/1990
Edition description:	1
Pages:	216
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)
Lexile:	1280L (what's this?)

About the Author

Raphael Sealey is professor of history at the University of California at Berkeley. His books include The Athenian Republic: Democracy or the Rule of Law?.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Raphael Sealey understands that it is necessary to read between the lines for the unstated assumptions that explain why women were treated at times like children, but at other times as responsible adults. His methodology should provide a model for further studies of ancient Greek law. His conclusion, though perhaps surprising, is surely valid: that although never the equal of men, women were protected by law, and cared for. Sealey's book should become a standard reference work on the subject.—Mary R. Lefkowitz, Wellesley College

Editorial Reviews

"Raphael Sealey understands that it is necessary to read between the lines for the unstated assumptions that explain why women were treated at times like children, but at other times as responsible adults. His methodology should provide a model for further studies of ancient Greek law. His conclusion, though perhaps surprising, is surely valid: that although never the equal of men, women were protected by law, and cared for. Sealey's book should become a standard reference work on the subject."—Mary R. Lefkowitz, Wellesley College

From the Publisher

This bibliography explores Jewish women's status in the areas of religion, the law, politics, education, professions, economics, and gender. The focus is on sources written in the 19th and 20th centuries. Organized by subject. Includes author and subject indices. An analysis of the rights of women in marriage, in the control of property, and in questions of inheritance, based on a sophisticated reading of legal evidence. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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