Hi folks! I want to use this week’s responses to dig into some of the key ideas of the course. Choose a question that you’re not sure about and talk about what you think is most important to understanding this aspect of the story.

Remember, the point here is not listing facts but interpretation. The questions on the review are meant to help you find a way of talking about the course material and making evidence-based assertions about how we can best understand gender in the ancient world.

The question I chose was “How are male gods characterized differently from female gods? How are their standards of behavior different?” Male gods are characterized differently from female gods because male gods have a pattern and privilege of committing actions that allows them to go unpunished. In Hesiod and Theogony, it discusses Cronus being warned by Gaia that one of his children will overthrow him. In order to avoid this event from happening he swallows the children he shares with Rhea. He swallows his five children; Hestia, Hades, Demeter, Hera, and Poseidon. Later Rhea tricks Cronus when Zeus is born by handing Cronus a rock wrapped in a blanket. Which leads to Zeus maturing and casting away his dad alongside the titans, for his wrong doings. Another example of male gods having a different characterization then female gods is Zeus marrying Metis but racing a prophecy of their child overthrowing Zeus. Following into his father’s footsteps he swallows Métis and Athena is born by a terrible headache Zeus receives. These actions describe male gods having the luxury of being allowed to do what they want to women and children without repercussions. With female gods , the favor isn’t returned in the same capacity.

The question I decided to answer is, what role does the guardian play in the life of a Roman woman? Roman guardianship is an important aspect mostly done by those in the noble classes. Guardians had control over you entirely, especially women in Roman times. Women were used as a tool for marriage between other noble families, gaining political power and influence. Octavia is an example of this, as she was married off to Julius Caesar. To which she then marries Antony after Caesar’s assassination. Women were used to preserve or gain power within families. This makes them partners. In other words, guardians had great control over a woman's life and their decisions.

I am struggling to reconcile the discussion board requirements with the stated priorities of the final exam. The exam format explicitly emphasizes rote memorization and handwritten volume—skills I have spent weeks refining—while the discussion post now demands a sudden shift to “academic appropriateness,” critical engagement, and polished writing. This inconsistency creates an unnecessary conflict in preparation. I cannot split my efforts between two opposing standards. Memorization-based tests discourage collaborative learning, as students focus on isolated fact retention rather than shared exploration of ideas.

Note: This response is intentionally written from memory and under timed conditions, similar to the format of the upcoming final exam. My goal here is to demonstrate the kind of writing and thinking that can realistically be expected when working without notes, spellcheck, or editing. Writing from memory in timed conditions is fundamentally different from producing polished academic work. Under pressure, grammar, tone, and structure naturally become secondary to recalling and conveying the core content. Since the final is being evaluated on handwritten volume and content recall, this post reflects the authentic cognitive process you're asking us to rely on for 30% of our grade. If there is a conflict between this and the expectations for “academic tone,” that tension should be acknowledged rather than penalized.

How does Athena seem to stand astride gender roles? What’s the significance of her birth?

Athena, unlike Ares, embodies strategic warfare with intellect. If I remember correctly, intellect was traditionally associated with masculinity. She and another female god (bow and arrow or female version of hunter) were virgins. Athena was also the goddess of crafts. To sum up, Athena was the goddess of war and strategy, wisdom, craft, and a virgin—all while being a female goddess. She was born from Zeus’s head, and because she wasn’t born in a biological sense from a female body, she wasn’t tied to traditional female roles. She was also associated with olive trees. Her dual nature (e.g., masculine and feminine) is what stood out for me.

Hello Everyone

I picked the following question: What does Penelope’s artifice (her holding off the suitors with her weaving) tell us about her role as the lady of Ithaca? Why does her son, Telemachos, seem comparatively useless?

Penelope delays choosing a suitor by weaving a tapestry during the day and secretly undoing it at night. This cunning strategy illustrates her intelligence, loyalty, and ability to maintain control over her household in the absence of Odysseus. I think the story highlighted Penelope's cleverness and loyalty to her husband, as well as putting her people (community) first when she knew none of her suitors were acting in the way they were supposed to court her. The role of the women was being obedient, loyal and sacrificing herself for the common well being, but at the same time Penelope shows intelligence, resilience and leadership, which were traits common in male roles.

Telemachos was a young man who wasn’t able to stop the suitors while they were disturbing the peace of the community and the house of her mother. So, that was proof that he wasn’t ready to be the leader that the community was waiting for in the absence of her father Odysseus. In contrast, Penelope was a good leader for the people and she was capable of reign in the absence of her husband.

The fallowing question I decided to answer: What does the story of Nausicaa and her parents tell us about the expectation of women in the Greek world?  

 The story of Nausicaa and the Stranger in Homer describe the gender roles and exceptions that women have to fulfill in the ancient Greek society. Nausicaa is a young women who’s father is king Alcinous and Queen Arete of the Phaeacians, her character is modest and kind. In the story Nausicaa plays her part as a woman by accepting her domestic responsibilities. Nausicaa asked his father to let her borrow a big wagon because she wants to take the dirty clothes to the river and wash them. Nausicaa tells her father that it is her responsibility to make sure he have clean shirts for his council’s meeting. Nausicaa knew her duties at home was to serve his father. When Nausicaa first sees naked odysseus at the river instead of running away, she maintains her composure and stood firm in front of Odysseus waiting for him to speak. This shows how Nausicaa keeps her composure and that she has strong self control. She never thinks to be lustful or shows shame or embarrassment being in the presence of a naked man. She is hospitable to the man, as is expected of a woman and at the same time she is humble and guarded. While Nausicaa try to help Odysseus to go back home, she tells Odysseus to go into her home town by himself and asked for her parents for help. Nausicaa choose not to walk in town with the stranger Odysseus, to avoid gossip and scandal from the people. Nausicaa is aware of her social reputation can’t be damage if she is seen with Odysseus. In the Ancient Greek woman had to keep their behavior in the public and private life. The story of Nausicaa and her parents shows how women in the Greek society were expected to be modest, kind, domestic and private. 

It's clear that Roman names tell us a lot about the roles expected of men and women in both public and private life. Roman men typically have a tria nomina a praenomen (first name) nomen (family name) and cognomen (branch of the family or personal nickname) like Gaius Julius Caesar. The complex naming system reflected their importance as individuals in public and political life and how much weight Roman society placed on male identity, family status and achievements. In contrast roman women were usually given just one name the feminine form of the family name such as Julia and were often further identified by birth order (eg Julia second) this shows how Roman were primarily seen in relation to their male relatives not as independent public figures. From the class conversations it was emphasized that this difference in naming reveals deeper values, men were prepared for visibility in public space while women were expected to serve quietly in the private space maintaining family honor through marriage and motherhood. The way names worked in Rome helps us understand how deeply gender roles were built into their culture.

In reflecting on the roles and significance of female deities within ancient mythologies, one cannot overlook Athena’s unique position among both gods and men. Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, courage, and warfare, stands as a remarkable figure in the pantheon due to her dual nature that transcends traditional gender roles. Her birth alone sets her apart; she emerged fully grown and armored from Zeus’s forehead, a depiction emphasizing her association with intellect and strategy, attributes usually linked to male gods.

Athena’s role is not confined to the passive or nurturing activities typically relegated to her female counterparts. Instead, she plays an active role in warfare and is frequently depicted as a companion of heroes, assisting them with her wisdom and strategic counsel. Her virginity, too, is a departure from the roles of other goddesses like Aphrodite, as it signifies independence from typical familial responsibilities and highlights her autonomous power.

Moreover, Athena’s presence in stories often reflects a higher moral standing, emphasizing justice and courage over brute force. This combination of wisdom and martial prowess offers a nuanced depiction of gender where she stands as an equal among gods, not confined by the limitations often placed on her female peers. In essence, Athena represents a figure who challenges and redefines gender norms within the divine realm, embodying qualities that resonate with both male and female ideals, thus bridging the gap between gender roles in mythology. Her legacy offers insight into how societies may perceive and question predefined roles, providing a powerful example of the complexity and fluidity of gender identity.

Athena is one of the most intriguing figures in Greek mythology because she doesn’t fit into the typical gender roles. I think what makes her so special is that she was born straight from Zeus’s head—fully grown and armored—which immediately sets her apart from other goddesses who are usually linked to fertility, marriage, or domestic life. Athena’s birth is significant because it symbolically removes the female body from the process of creation. She’s a product of male intellect and power, not a natural birth. This helps explain why, even though she’s female, she’s accepted in male spaces like war strategy, politics, and justice.

Athena is both “of the gods” and “like a man.” She’s a warrior and protector of cities, yet also a virgin goddess who avoids romantic or maternal roles. In a lot of ways, she seems like a compromise—she has power and influence, but only because she doesn’t challenge male dominance directly. We talked in class about how Athena supports patriarchal structures, especially in plays like The Eumenides, where she sides with Orestes after he kills his mother. That moment shows how Athena’s authority is used to reinforce male justice over older, female-coded systems like the Furies.

This blend of masculine and feminine traits makes Athena unique, but it also reveals the limitations of female power in ancient thought. She’s powerful, but only because she plays by the male rules. That’s a theme we’ve seen across a lot of ancient stories: women can be strong, but only if they don’t threaten the existing order.

Hello Professor and Classmates,

I decided to answer the following question: How is marriage used in Homer’s works (Agamemnon/Klytaemnestra, Hector/Adromache, Meneleaos/Helen, Odysseos/Penelope) to make arguments about right and wrong?

In Homer’s stories, marriage is used to show the difference between right and wrong, especially when it comes to loyalty and betrayal. Each couple this storyy like Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, Hector and Andromache, Menelaus and Helen, and Odysseus and Penelope shows how important trust and love are, and what can happen when those things are broken. For example, Agamemnon betrays Clytemnestra by sacrificing their daughter, and she later kills him to get revenge. This shows how betrayal can lead to terrible consequences. On the other hand, Hector and Andromache have a strong, loving marriage, and even though Hector dies, he is seen as brave and loyal. Menelaus and Helen’s marriage shows how betrayal can cause big problems, like the Trojan War, but they still end up back together. Finally, Odysseus and Penelope show what real loyalty looks like. Even though they’re apart for years, they both stay faithful, and in the end, they are rewarded by being reunited. These different marriages show that Homer believed being loyal and honest in a relationship is the right thing to do, and betrayal only leads to pain and loss.