Being An Athenian Citizen Essay

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In the city-state of Athens around fifth century BCE, men and women worked around the clock, making sure that their oikos (household) reflected exceptionally upon the polis (city-state). Citizens were the only people who had full control over the household, while everyone else who was not a citizen lacked and/or lucked out on many of the privileges. Being a citizen came with many entitlements, but it also brought a great deal of responsibility with it as well. Running a highly respect oikos required effort from not only the men, but also from the women, who played many vital and significant roles. Daily responsibilities were split among men and women; however, in order to maintain the oikos both had to contribute exponentially, and no work of either sexes was more important than …show more content…

Athenians believed that the work load for each individual had been divided from the beginning and both men and women serve their own objective. Since each of the members knew what was expected of them, there would be no confusion on what work was reversed for men and what was reserved for the women. Any Athenian should not go against their nature (as either a man or women), in terms of their work and also fully commit to their daily duties and responsibilities. Men knew that women were capable of attending to the work of the private sphere, which also meant men’s presence was no required. The work of the private sphere was considered to be of most importance since it was regarding the oikos, and it was in not considered trivial. Women had to cook, make cloths, watch over slaves, and see to the goods/items that were coming in or going out; likewise, all of these tasks kept the oikos well-rounded. With the women having a secure handling over the functions of the oikos, that allowed the men to go out to the public sphere and continue with their end of the

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