Women of the household

Women of the household

— had little political and legal rights were not considered full citizens — spent most their time indoors + excluded from household cults

Where did a women’s main religious participation come from

Through filling the roles of the priestesses for state or communal cults — there were 40 priesthoods open to women

Women of the household

— had little political and legal rights were not considered full citizens — spent most their time indoors + excluded from household cults

Where did a women’s main religious participation come from

Through filling the roles of the priestesses for state or communal cults — there were 40 priesthoods open to women

How could a women become a priestess

They had to show characteristics of the goddess they were serving e.g peeresses if Demeter were older but priestess of Artemis were virgins

Arrephoros

Associated with the temple of Athena Polias. Two maidens were chosen each year to carry a basket on their heads given by the goddess herself - the contents remain unknown - they exchanged it for something else of the acropolis

Grinder

Girls who ground the meal for the cakes which would be offered to Athena at her altar

Brauronia

Girls would dress up like bears at this festival, it was required for all Athenian girls before they could marry

Basket bearer

The priestesses who carried the baskets containing sacrificial implements used during the procession

What festival could women take part in once they were married

Thesmorphoria - held in honour of Demeter and Persephone - commemorated the kidnapping of Persephone by hades - described to adult women and rites practiced were kept secret

Other responsibilities for women

Performing appropriate rites upon someone’s death by tending the corpse. 2 day period they would drive by; cutting their hair, wearing shabby black clothing, wailing beside the deceased