With the exception of
women in ancient Sparta, Greek women had very limited freedom outside
the home. If they had their husband's permission, they could attend
weddings, funerals, some religious festivals, and visit female
neighbors for brief periods of time. But without their husband's
permission, they could do none of these things. They could not leave
the house, not even go to a temple to honor their gods, without their
husband's permission.
In their home, however,
Greek women were in charge! Their job was to run the house, make the
clothes, and bear children.
Most Greek women did not do housework
themselves. Most Greek households had slaves. Female
slaves cooked, cleaned, and worked in the fields. Male slaves watched
the door, to make sure no one came in when the man of the house was
away, except for female neighbors, and acted as tutors to the young
male children.
Wives and daughters were not allowed to
watch the Olympic
Games as the participants in the games did not wear
clothes. Chariot racing was the only game women could win, and only if
they owned the horse. If that horse won, they received the prize.
