The role of women in the aeneid and Odyssey

Marriage

there she wept for Odysseus
let him keep it for himself, safe in his grave

dowry political married

make her marry the man whom her father chooses
Lavinia was at the age for marriage

motherhood

Anticleia dies - pining for her son
if only you had given me a child before you abandon me

Submissive role

making decisions must be men’s concern
there is no fame worth remembering to be won by punishing a woman

Female leadership

slip past him and clasp my mother’s knees
Queen Dido…arrived…with a great crowd of warriors