Previous studies of ancient Greek examples of uxoricide in pregnancy have concluded that the them... more Previous studies of ancient Greek examples of uxoricide in pregnancy have concluded that the theme is used to suggest tyrannical abuse of power and that the violence is a product of the patriarchal nature of ancient society. This article uses evolutionary analyses of violence during pregnancy to argue that the themes of sexual jealousy and uncertainty over paternity are as crucial as the theme of power to an understanding of these examples and that the examples can be seen as typical instances of spousal abuse as it occurs in all types of society.
This collection focuses on the complex interrelationship of revenge and gender in ancient Greek a... more This collection focuses on the complex interrelationship of revenge and gender in ancient Greek and Roman literature, Icelandic sagas and medieval and early modern English literature. It probes revenge’s gendering, its role in consolidating and contesting gender norms, and its relation to friendship, family roles and kinship structures. It argues that while revenge frequently functions as a repressive cultural script that reinforces conservative gender roles, it also repeatedly triggers events that disturb gender norms, blurring conventional male/female and animal/human binaries, and provoking wider ontological questions. It analyses the ways in which women are seen to be transmogrified by revenge and asks whether there are particular forms of revenge (such as cursing or gossip) that are gendered female. It also examines lamentation, a female-gendered activity which enables women to play an important role in revenge narratives. Including literary works by Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Seneca, Thomas Kyd, Shakespeare, John Marston and John Ford, this collection explores continuities between historical periods as well as the ways in which texts and traditions diverge.
Introduction Women and Science: The Logistics of Gender in Classical Philosophy Women and Medicin... more Introduction Women and Science: The Logistics of Gender in Classical Philosophy Women and Medicine: Between Nature and Culture Women in the Political Arena: 'Matriot' Games? Cornelia Mother of the Gracchi Women and Commerce / Economy: Cultural Representations of Women in the Roman Economy Women and Literature: Feminists Theorise the Cultural A Woman's Influence on a Roman Text Women and Justice: Women's Influence on Revenge in Ancient Greece Women and Architecture: Women and Architectural Patronage during the Roman Empire Women and the Transmission of Foreign Culture: Libyan Women and the Transmission of Indigenous Culture Galla Placidia: Women and Culture in Late Antiquity Gender and Culture in Roman Egypt
This paper discusses the theme of casting 'unchaste' women into the sea as a punishment i... more This paper discusses the theme of casting 'unchaste' women into the sea as a punishment in Greek myth and literature. Particular focus will be given to the stories of Danae, Auge, Aerope and Phronime, who are all depicted suffering this punishment at the hands of their fathers. While Seaford (1990) has emphasized the theme of imprisonment which occurs in some of the stories involving the 'floating chest', I turn my attention instead to the theme of the sea. The coincidence in these stories of the threat of drowning for apparent promiscuity or sexual impurity with the escape of those girls who are innocent can be explained by the phenomenon of the 'trial by water' as evidenced in Babylonian and other early law codes (cf. Glotz 1904). Further evidence for this theory can be found in ancient novels where the trial of the heroine for sexual purity is often a key theme. The significance of chastity in the myths and in Athenian society is central to understanding t...
Previous studies of ancient Greek examples of uxoricide in pregnancy have concluded that the them... more Previous studies of ancient Greek examples of uxoricide in pregnancy have concluded that the theme is used to suggest tyrannical abuse of power and that the violence is a product of the patriarchal nature of ancient society. This article uses evolutionary analyses of violence during pregnancy to argue that the themes of sexual jealousy and uncertainty over paternity are as crucial as the theme of power to an understanding of these examples and that the examples can be seen as typical instances of spousal abuse as it occurs in all types of society.
This collection focuses on the complex interrelationship of revenge and gender in ancient Greek a... more This collection focuses on the complex interrelationship of revenge and gender in ancient Greek and Roman literature, Icelandic sagas and medieval and early modern English literature. It probes revenge’s gendering, its role in consolidating and contesting gender norms, and its relation to friendship, family roles and kinship structures. It argues that while revenge frequently functions as a repressive cultural script that reinforces conservative gender roles, it also repeatedly triggers events that disturb gender norms, blurring conventional male/female and animal/human binaries, and provoking wider ontological questions. It analyses the ways in which women are seen to be transmogrified by revenge and asks whether there are particular forms of revenge (such as cursing or gossip) that are gendered female. It also examines lamentation, a female-gendered activity which enables women to play an important role in revenge narratives. Including literary works by Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Seneca, Thomas Kyd, Shakespeare, John Marston and John Ford, this collection explores continuities between historical periods as well as the ways in which texts and traditions diverge.
Introduction Women and Science: The Logistics of Gender in Classical Philosophy Women and Medicin... more Introduction Women and Science: The Logistics of Gender in Classical Philosophy Women and Medicine: Between Nature and Culture Women in the Political Arena: 'Matriot' Games? Cornelia Mother of the Gracchi Women and Commerce / Economy: Cultural Representations of Women in the Roman Economy Women and Literature: Feminists Theorise the Cultural A Woman's Influence on a Roman Text Women and Justice: Women's Influence on Revenge in Ancient Greece Women and Architecture: Women and Architectural Patronage during the Roman Empire Women and the Transmission of Foreign Culture: Libyan Women and the Transmission of Indigenous Culture Galla Placidia: Women and Culture in Late Antiquity Gender and Culture in Roman Egypt
This paper discusses the theme of casting 'unchaste' women into the sea as a punishment i... more This paper discusses the theme of casting 'unchaste' women into the sea as a punishment in Greek myth and literature. Particular focus will be given to the stories of Danae, Auge, Aerope and Phronime, who are all depicted suffering this punishment at the hands of their fathers. While Seaford (1990) has emphasized the theme of imprisonment which occurs in some of the stories involving the 'floating chest', I turn my attention instead to the theme of the sea. The coincidence in these stories of the threat of drowning for apparent promiscuity or sexual impurity with the escape of those girls who are innocent can be explained by the phenomenon of the 'trial by water' as evidenced in Babylonian and other early law codes (cf. Glotz 1904). Further evidence for this theory can be found in ancient novels where the trial of the heroine for sexual purity is often a key theme. The significance of chastity in the myths and in Athenian society is central to understanding t...
This event takes place at a time when various groups are coming together in the UK and internatio... more This event takes place at a time when various groups are coming together in the UK and internationally to discuss workplace bullying and harassment and to seek solutions. The issue is high on the agenda of the Women's Classical Committee UK, which conducted a survey in 2016 asking for feedback on experiences of gendered bullying and sexual harassment. A paper in Cloelia in 2016 by two of the current event's organisers explored the responses to this survey while also presenting the experiences of other classicists.
One goal of this workshop is to look in further depth at some of the *problems* in Classics. For example, we should like to look at where issues of gender intersect with mental health, age, disability and status. We also anticipate a discussion around whether the perpetuation of 'traditional' views of Classics might be fostering a culture where bullying and harassment can endure.
But: our key goal is to move from identifying problems to finding *solutions*. We take inspiration, here, from the ongoing moves in Classical women's networks in North America and Australasia to tackle issues in the discipline by cooperation, including by those who have themselves suffered unpleasant experiences in the workplace. Our quest will also be informed by initiatives beyond Classics, including the 1752 Group, which is developing strategies for combatting sexual misconduct at UK HEIs.
The Women's Classical Committee UK invites proposals for brief papers (15-20 minutes) on any aspect relating to the topic. We warmly encourage Classicists at any career stage and of any gender to submit abstracts.
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Papers by Fiona McHardy
One goal of this workshop is to look in further depth at some of the *problems* in Classics. For example, we should like to look at where issues of gender intersect with mental health, age, disability and status. We also anticipate a discussion around whether the perpetuation of 'traditional' views of Classics might be fostering a culture where bullying and harassment can endure.
But: our key goal is to move from identifying problems to finding *solutions*. We take inspiration, here, from the ongoing moves in Classical women's networks in North America and Australasia to tackle issues in the discipline by cooperation, including by those who have themselves suffered unpleasant experiences in the workplace. Our quest will also be informed by initiatives beyond Classics, including the 1752 Group, which is developing strategies for combatting sexual misconduct at UK HEIs.
The Women's Classical Committee UK invites proposals for brief papers (15-20 minutes) on any aspect relating to the topic. We warmly encourage Classicists at any career stage and of any gender to submit abstracts.