Date Thesis Awarded

5-2024

Access Type

Honors Thesis -- Open Access

Degree Name

Bachelors of Arts (BA)

Department

Classical Studies

Advisor

Jessica Stephens

Committee Members

Alan Braddock

Mitchell Brown

Abstract

This thesis offers a comprehensive examination of the role of priestesshoods in shaping the civic identity of women in Classical Athens. It challenges the traditional narrative that confines Athenian women to the domestic sphere by highlighting their public and influential roles in religious practices. Through a meticulous analysis of archaeological, literary, and epigraphic evidence, the study traces the journey of Athenian females from childhood rituals to the esteemed positions of the High Priestess of Athena Nike and Athena Polias, revealing how these religious roles served as both a spiritual passage and a civic curriculum.

The thesis argues that these priestesshoods were not only a form of religious service but also a public affirmation of citizenship, essential to the polis's health and functions. It explores the transformation of Athenian citizenship post-Pericles' Citizenship Law of 451 BCE and how the priestesshoods provided a platform for women to perform and validate their civic identities. By examining the lived experiences of these women, the research invites a reevaluation of the dimensions of civic identity and the relationship between gender, religion, and civic participation in ancient Athens. The narrative story of an elite Athenian citizen girl, interwoven with historical analysis, brings a humanizing perspective to the scholarly discourse, emphasizing the personal lives and societal contributions of these women. This thesis stands as a call to reconsider the complexities of women's experiences and their integral role in the public life of Classical Athens.

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