Study Questions for

"PANDORA'S BOX:

THE ROLES OF WOMEN IN ANCIENT GREECE"

A VIDEO LECTURE

BY DR. ELLEN D. REEDER

THE WALTERS ART GALLERY

1.         Why do we know more today about women’s life in ancient Greece? How can we hear the voice of ancient Greek women even thought they wrote very little themselves?

2.         What roles did Greek women have in Greek society at various stages of their lives?

3.         What constitutes the ideal woman in Greek society? Describe “aidos” and “sophrosyne.”

4.         Describe the proper body language, facial expression and general comportment “Gesture and Gaze” of this ideal Greek woman and compare that to representations of Greek hetairai (prostitutes).

5.         List some features of an ancient Greek marriage ceremony.

6.         Explain how the vessel is a key metaphor for women in Ancient Greece.

7.         How and why did ancient Greeks view women as wild animals who needed to be tamed?

8.         What Greek myths dramatize the anxiety and apprehension the Greeks felt regarding the taming of women? How?