Women in the Home

Women’s Roles in the Home

Wives were often expected to manage the household in the husband’s absence, making important decisions and maintaining the family’s livelihood.
Childbirth was a fundamental aspect of a woman’s role. Maternal mortality was high, reflecting the dangers and difficulties.
Women were also tasked with raising children, teaching them moral values and practical skills, such as girls learning the art of spinning wool and handling household chores.
Females, regardless of their social status, were generally responsible for preparing and serving meals, weaving clothes, and maintaining the cleanliness and orderliness of the home.

Many households in ancient times had slaves. Slaves were considered part of the household, with female slaves performing household chores or serving as nursemaids, while male slaves might have been craftsmen or field workers.
Female slaves might receive harsher treatment and were often at the mercy of their master’s desires. Any children born from such interactions were also considered slaves, continuing the cycle.

In some ancient civilisations, women and girls were confined to their own quarters, a concept known as seclusion.
The public and private spheres were relatively separated, with men associated with the public and women with the domestic sphere.
However, this idea of seclusion varied between different cultures and periods and between different social classes.

Despite their domestic roles, women in ancient cultures were not entirely powerless. They could exert considerable influence within and beyond the family and household.
Women’s power could be observed through their influence on their husbands’ decisions, and in some societies, women had the right to own and manage property, run businesses, or even act in a legal capacity.
Many areas of daily life in ancient civilisations, such as influential forms of religion (for example, the worship of goddesses), had strong female presences, hinting at the significant cultural and social influence women held within their societies.