Konstantinos Kapparis challenges the traditional view that free women were excluded from the Athenian legal system, revealing that they were not invisible in the legal system and the life of the polis. He explores how factors such as gender, religion, women's empowerment, and the rise of the Attic hetaira influenced the construction of speeches.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 28 February 2021
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Konstantinos Kapparis Challenges the Traditional View of Free Women in the Athenian Legal System

Konstantinos Kapparis challenges the traditional view that free women, citizens, and metics were excluded from the Athenian legal system. By examining existing fragmentary evidence, primarily from speeches, Kapparis reveals that free women were far from invisible in the legal system and the life of the polis. In the first part of the book, Kapparis discusses the actual cases that included women as litigants, and the second part interprets these cases against the legal, social, economic, and cultural background of classical Athens. In doing so, he explores how factors such as gender, religion, women's empowerment, and the rise of the Attic hetaira as a cultural icon intersected with these cases and ultimately influenced the construction of the speeches.

The Actual Cases of Women as Litigants in the Athenian Legal System

Kapparis begins by examining the actual cases of women as litigants in the Athenian legal system. He identifies several cases in which women were involved as plaintiffs, defendants, or witnesses. These cases provide valuable insights into the legal status of women in ancient Athens and the ways in which they interacted with the legal system. For example, in one case, a woman named Philaenis was accused of adultery and brought a lawsuit against her husband. Kapparis analyzes the legal arguments presented by both parties and the court's decision. He also considers the social and cultural context in which the case took place, including the role of women in Athenian society and the attitudes towards adultery.

Interpreting the Cases Against the Legal, Social, Economic, and Cultural Background of Classical Athens

In the second part of the book, Kapparis interprets the cases against the legal, social, economic, and cultural background of classical Athens. He argues that the legal system in Athens was complex and multifaceted, and that it was influenced by a variety of factors, including gender, religion, women's empowerment, and the rise of the Attic hetaira as a cultural icon. Kapparis explores how these factors interacted with each other and influenced the construction of the speeches. For example, he argues that the rise of the Attic hetaira as a cultural icon influenced the way that women were portrayed in the speeches, and that this portrayal was often negative. He also argues that the legal system in Athens was influenced by gender, with women being treated differently than men in many cases.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Konstantinos Kapparis challenges the traditional view that free women, citizens, and metics were excluded from the Athenian legal system. By examining existing fragmentary evidence, primarily from speeches, Kapparis reveals that free women were far from invisible in the legal system and the life of the polis. In the first part of the book, Kapparis discusses the actual cases that included women as litigants, and the second part interprets these cases against the legal, social, economic, and cultural background of classical Athens. In doing so, he explores how factors such as gender, religion, women's empowerment, and the rise of the Attic hetaira as a cultural icon intersected with these cases and ultimately influenced the construction of the speeches. Kapparis's work provides valuable insights into the legal status of women in ancient Athens and the ways in which they interacted with the legal system.

Weight: 580g
Dimension: 162 x 240 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474446723