Eurasian Social Hierarchies Patriarchy, 500 B.C.E.- 500 C.E.

Patriarchy Men regarded as superior to women; Sons preferred over daughters. Men had legal and property rights unknown to most women. Public life was male dominated, while women’s roles took place mostly in domestic settings. Men would regulate the social and sexual lives of women, daughters, and sisters in their families. “Women required the protection and control of men.” Patriarchy varied from civilization to another.

Patriarchy in Han China Han Dynasty Gender issues became more explicitly patriarchal, more clearly defined, and linked to Confucianism. Yang was viewed as masculine, Yin as feminine. “Men go out, women stay in.” “Three obediences” Subordination first to her father, then to her husband, and finally to her son. Wives, concubines, or widows of emperors exercised considerable political authority.

Patriarchy in the Period of Disunity in China Centralized government vanished. Confucianism was discredited after the fall of the Han Dynasty; Daoism and Buddhism attracted followers. Pastoral and nomadic peopled invaded northern China. Loosening of strict patriarchy of classical China. Tang Dynasty Women capable of handling legal and business affairs. Riding horses and playing polo Bareheaded and wearing men’s clothing. Married women’s rights to inherit property from her family.

Empress Wu Reigned 690- 705 B.C.E. Former high ranking concubine in the imperial court. Consolidated China’s civil service examination system. Patronized scholarship and the arts. Commissioned biographies of famous women.

Women in Athens Posture towards women was negative and restrictive. Women had no role whatsoever in the assembly, the councils, or the juries. In legal matters, women had to be represented by a guardian and were referred to only as someone's wife or mother. Married mid-teens, main function was the management of domestic affairs and production of sons. Daughters limited to spinning, weaving, and other household tasks. Women’s forbidden to own property.

Women in Sparta Childbearing, encouraged to take part in sporting events. Educated Married men of their own age.