World History Word.docx

Bridget Mastrorilli Kristin Pinyan World History to 1500 9 February 2017 The Role of Women in the Past The Code of Hammurabi is one of the earliest and most well-known texts available that outlines an ancient code of law. This text sought to establish a consistent and commonly understood set of rules and punishments for members of Babylon. Because the code was written in Akkadian, the people’s daily language, it is reasonable to assume that even if illiteracy rates were high, common people understood what actions were deemed unacceptable and what the consequences of these behaviors would be (9). The code’s author, Hammurabi, was the king of Babylon, so his word was already law, but this code helped clarify and publicize his decisions. This text was written in roughly 1780 B.C.E., marking it as one of the earliest legal texts in human history (9). The text outlines some clear divisions among members in Babylonian society during this time, particularly between men and women. Men were much more valuable and had many more rights than women according to the code. For example, law 141 states that, if unhappy, a wife can only leave if her husband grants her release (11). If he does not, she is forced to “remain a servant in [his] house” (11). The Laws of Manu is another text which outlines what is and is not acceptable and proper behavior in its society. This specific section of the laws addresses the role of women in society and their relationship with men. While not an official legal text, this document is said to have been given by Manu, a legendary ancestor and sage, so it is reasonable to assume the words would essentially be taken as law. Although not written by Manu himself, whose existence is

dubious at best, the work was ascribed to him (47). Manu was seen as an archetypal human, someone of great power and wisdom whose opinions were held in high esteem. This text was written in 100-200 B.C.E (47). Unsurprisingly, this text shows us that the Vedic society was a highly patriarchal one. Men, their desires, and their beliefs were of paramount importance, with women seen as helpless, dainty objects used as a means to an end. For example, these laws stated that women “must be kept in dependence” by the males in their lives “day and night” (48). Women of lower castes would only become “worthy of honor” if they married a man in a higher caste and took on his “good qualities,” rather than being worthy of respect themselves (50). Hesiod’s Works and Days is a poem written in roughly 700 B.C.E. outlining tips and advice on how to be a successful farmer and life a fruitful life. The poem outlines not only practical tips, such as what tools and animals to use and what time of year to perform specific tasks, but also how one should live his life in order to be happy and prosperous. Although contemporary poems are typically seen as solely works of artistic expression, this poem aimed to give Greeks practical advice they could apply to their lives. Hesiod was one of Ancient Greece’s earliest known poets (77). Poets were revered and held in high esteem, so his words were certainly taken seriously. One of the most striking parts of the poem is found at the end, when Hesiod describes how to choose a wife. Although it is not entirely clear what age the wife should be, the ideal wife is described as “having been grown up four years,” which is certainly much younger than the roughly 30 years of age he recommends for husbands (79). This shows that wives were much younger than their husbands and were used merely as an object for their happiness and enjoyment, as well as a tool to produce children. All three of these texts clearly show that these ancient civilizations treated women as objects and second-class citizens. They were simply supposed to bear children and keep their

husbands happy, with no regard for their own desires and wishes. They had limited rights, and were seen as their husbands’ property. The patriarchal overtones present in these ancient works and societies has a lasting legacy in today’s world, although not to as extreme of a degree.