A Day with the Women of ancient Athens: Private Lives, Public images

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Greek goddesses lived life to the full: Aphrodite, goddess of love, born from the sea; martial Athene, born from her father's head; Artemis, free to run and hunt where other women dare not go. The women of Greek drama take control: Clytemnestra wreaks terrible revenge on Agamemnon when he returns from war with the Trojans with a female slave; Lysistrata leads a sex strike in protest at war.

Everywhere the public places of ancient Athens were decorated with magnificent images of women. Drinking cups and water vessels regaled the user with the female form. But, did these images in text and object reflect the true position of women in 5th century Athens?

This event took place on Tuesday 6th May, 2003.