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The Role of Women in Ancient Cultures

The role of women in ancient cultures


In this paper two pictures will be analysed that stand as an exhibit to the representation of women in the collective imaginary of ancient cultures.

The picture on the left is from the Grave of Hegaso, dating from ancient Greece, roughly 400 BCE. This tombstone depicts the young noble lady in her daily routine; she's attended by her maid, who brings her jewel box, in a setting that suggests opulence. It is noticeable from the characters' stance and expression that the maid is included not as a companion but rather an object of wealth. It turns out that while the focus is held on the lady's wealth, this also rapports of her futility. In a way, she is portrayed as tough she was an ornament herself. At the time, women were commonly represented in this fashion, while men were depicted in quarrying stances. This is a most classical perspective of the role of both sexes, a vision that endures from pre-historic times, when Man was the hunter and Woman, the gatherer.

The second picture, seemingly the statue of a man, is actually a representation of Hatshepsut, the first great female monarch whose name has been recorded in history. She proclaimed herself Pharaoah instead of her stepson Thutmose III, and she ruled the empire for over two decades. The statue dates roughly from 1473 -1458 BCE.

It was no mistake that she was portrayed in this unwomanly manner, using the costume of male Pharaohs, with royal headdress and kilt, and even a false ceremonial beard. Although some pictures remain that also represent a more feminine and slender Hatshepsut, most her renderings were done under the guise of masculinity. It is clear that to ensure the respect of her people, the empress had sometimes to pose as a man. At that time in Egypt, women first begun to hold the power and fight for their equality, and this was probably the way of society to cope with such an unexpected event as the ascendancy of a woman to the throne.

Concluding, it should be noted that both these representations portray women who would either be objectified or transfigured, and these are very obvious signs of male-oriented patriarchal societies, which have consistently occupied the bulk of our History.

Posted by: FICHTNER, SANDEE

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