Reputazione delle donne e carriere degli uomini in Atene. Opinione pubblica, legislazione politica e pratica giudiziaria

Abstract

This paper examines the emblematic stories of three women: the adulterous wife of the Athenian citizen Euphiletus, Neera, the courtesan who usurped the role of legitimate wife, and Aspasia, the famous mistress of Pericles. These stories indicate that, in Athens, public opinion, legislation, and judicial system all shared the view of women’s subordination. Their behaviours were only judged in relation to their impact on the citizen’s reputation.