Role of Women in Ancient Greek Society

The relationship between Greek goddesses and women in

ancient Greek society; the historical underpinnings of

Greek mythology; the archetypal meanings of the goddesses.

a. Matriarchal mythologies as predecessors.

Replacement of matriarchal mythologies with

c. Fragmented power of the Greek goddesses.

b. Archetypal profiles and characteristics.

a. Social position of women mirrored patriarchal mythology.

b. Acceptable/unacceptable roles for women.

Cultural Evaluations of Goddesses and Their Influence Women's Roles.

Role of Women in Ancient Greek Society

Mythology represents the psychic reality of the human species (Campbell, 1949). Throughout all ages and civilizations, myths have flourished. All disciplines, including religion, philosophy, art, science, technology and the social sciences contain elements of mythology (Campbell, 1949). Mythos shape the individual, as well as the universal unconsciousness (Campbell, 1949), and the fact that myths reflect, and are reflected by the social structure comes as no surprise (Campbell, 1949; Bolen, 1984; Miller

. . .
m aggressive fantasies are directed, and from whom a counter-aggression is feared; the hampering, forbidding, punishing mother; the mother who would hold to herself the growing child trying to push away; and finally the desired but forbidden mother (Oedipus complex) whose presence is a lure to dangerous desire ... (Campbell, 1949, p. 111). In attempting to describe further the archetypal properties of the goddesses, Bolen (1984) divides them into three categories: virgin goddesses, vulnerable goddesses and alchemical or transformational goddesses. The factors which determine each category are based upon such conditions as modes of consciousness, favored roles, motivation, attitudes toward others, the need for attachment, etc. Virgin goddesses include Artemis (whom the Romans called Diana), Athena, and Hestia. They represent the independent, self-sufficient quality in women, and were not prone to falling in love or forming emotional attachments that could distract them from their priorities. Bolen (1984) notes that these attributes "express in women a need for autonomy, and the capacity women have to focus their consciousness on what is personally meaningful" (p. 16). The vulnerable goddesses, according to this categor
. . .

Some common words found in the essay are:
Women Greek, Hera Bolen, Greece Women, Introduction Mythology, Additionally Aphrodite, Persephone Bolen, Queen Goddess, According Campbell, Demeter Hera, Examination Artemis, bolen 1984, greek society, ancient greek, role women, campbell 1949, women ancient, greek goddesses, role women ancient, women ancient greek, ancient greek society, women society, greek mythology, hall 1980, women ancient greece, hera demeter persephone,
Approximate Word count = 2984
Approximate Pages = 12 (250 words per page)

More Essays on Role of Women in Ancient Greek Society