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The Role of Women in Ancient Greece Women in Classical Ancient Greece held an inferior social position to men. Although they were prominent in the Greek Mythology and writing such as Sophocles' Antigone, the average woman stayed at home, spinning and weaving and doing household chores. They never acted as hostesses when their husbands had parties and were seen in public only at the theater and certain religious festivals. Women were prominent in functions such …

…and inquire as little as possible" (Xenephon in Oeconomicus). The character of Antigone challenged many restrictive values of society, yet this was not intended to be perceived as positive or laudable, even though her intrinsic motive, following the gods' will, was. Thus, while superficially Antigone could be read as a powerful feminist embodiment, Sophocles' was using her role to further demean and restrict women in society, rather than encourage any to emulate his title character.