Perspectives on Women in Plutarch’s Apophthegmata Laconica

The paper analyzes role and reputation, words and behaviors, duties and activities of the female figures described and quoted in Plutarch’s Apophthegmata Laconica. Depending on status and context, the role played by women in Spartan families and society seems to be fundamental for several reasons, i...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Fabio Tanga
Format: Article
Language:Portuguese
Published: Coimbra University Press 2021-12-01
Series:Humanitas
Subjects:
Online Access:https://impactum-journals.uc.pt/humanitas/article/view/8925
Description
Summary:The paper analyzes role and reputation, words and behaviors, duties and activities of the female figures described and quoted in Plutarch’s Apophthegmata Laconica. Depending on status and context, the role played by women in Spartan families and society seems to be fundamental for several reasons, in crucial situations and in different historical periods. And Plutarch, relating anecdotes, customs and sayings of the Spartans, allows to identify a remarkable variety of perspectives on women and their field of action. So, the internal and external focus on Spartan women’s everyday life helps to show the female loyalty to a Spartan ‘system of values’, through a series of aphorisms that outline the contribution of women to the historical and political experience, tradition and literary narration of Sparta over the centuries.
ISSN:0871-1569
2183-1718