“We have courtesans for pleasure, handmaidens for the day- to-day care of the body, wives to bear legitimate children and to be a trusted guardian of things in the house.” - Demosthenes (384 – 322BC) “Never, while their men survive, is feminine subjection shaken off; and they themselves abhor the freedom that the loss of husbands and fathers produces.” - Livy (c. 59BC – AD17)

1.While not kept in seclusion their realm was definitely the home a.Separate women’s quarters in homes were off limits to men, which was primarily meant to protect the legitimacy of children b.Governed the home in the absence of their husband iThis occurred a lot as influential husbands traveled iiMany women exercised great influence in this manner

2.Progress of ancient women a.Athenian women were lowest in status b.Macedonian women increased the status of women c.Roman women gained even more status d.The wealth of some Roman women often allowed them to become patrons and exercise great influence iThey frequently held civic offices iiOften served as priestesses iiiWere physicians, artists, musicians, athletes ivParticipated in sales, manufacturing and commercial activities

3.Jewish Women a.Not as restricted in public appearance b. b.Lower legal status than Roman women d. d.Women were exempt from various religious obligations due to ritual impurity and child care, and therefore we read… “Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, who has not made me a woman…” - Jewish prayer book

d.Roles of Jewish Men and Women iWife oMeal preparation oSpinning of wool oMaintaining the home oMaintaining an attractive appearance oInfluence on family greater than her husband’s iiHusband oProvide food and clothing oMaintain regular sexual relations (1 Cor. 7:5) oProvide for the children oForbidden to strike his wife

1.Child Mortality and Exposure a.There was a high mortality rate among infants b.Unwanted babies were exposed iChild’s life began when the father acknowledged it in a religious ceremony iiToo many mouths to feed iiiFirst child seldom exposed ivGirls exposed more than boys oGirls meant an eventual dowry oBoys meant an eventual soldier

2.Maturity a.Adolescence thought to bring about ability to reason b.A girl reached adulthood when married c.A boy reached adulthood when registered as a citizen at 17

1.Travel by Sea a.Fairly inexpensive b.Rooms were only for crew or very wealthy c.Sailed from port to port and primarily during the day d.Shipping stopped for winter e.Only large grain ships from Egypt ventured into the open sea f.Little risk of piracy under the empire

2.Travel by Land a.Roman Roads iPrimarily built to speed the movement of military troops iiSome Roman roads and bridges are still in use today! iiiRoman roads in the New Testament oVia Appia traveled by Paul on his way to Rome from Puteoli oVia Egnatia traveled by Paul from Neapolis to Thessalonica b.Accommodations iInns were filthy and corrupt, usually brothels iiHospitality was thus a great value

B. Coinage

C.Taxation 1.Taxation and Census (Luke 2:1) 2.Types of Taxes (Tributa) a.Tributum Soli on agricultural produce b.Tributum Capitis on other forms of property iMatthew 17:25 and 22:19

C.Taxation c.Vectigalia (telos in Matthew 17:25) indirect taxes iPortoria or “frontier dues” most important iiSolely for revenue, not to control production or trade iiiCollection of these were contracted out to publicani oA certain sum was agreed to go to the government oAmounts above sum were profit for the collector oThis system encouraged corruption (Imagine that!)

3.Tax Collectors or Publicans a.Publicani were Romans from the equestrian (knight) class b.The contemptuous attitude toward tax collectors was not due so much to financial extortion as to the perception of aiding the enemy c.The “tax collectors” in the gospels were not publicani iZaccheus and Matthew likely collected taxes on the trade routes through Jericho and Galilee respectively iiBoth were likely under the employment of Herod Antipas