Ancient Greek women had a specific role in society. They were expected to be housewives and produce children. Women were regarded as stupid and vain. Men thought that they needed to take care of women, or else they would die or do ridiculous things. Several myths about human women display the underlying feelings that Greek men held. They believed that women could be easily distracted or swayed from their morals with gold and jewelry, like Atalanta or Procris. Or that no matter how independent a woman thinks she is, she will always loose against men, like the Amazons. In the case of Medea, as a foreign woman, she was evil. She was a sorceress who was perfectly fine with murdering men, including her own brother and children. No Greek person would have seen the awful situation Jason had placed her in, only her difference from the social norm.
Atalanta was a proud woman, capable of defending herself. As a baby, she was exposed because her father wanted a male child. However, Atalanta was found by a bear and taken care of until a group of hunters found her and
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Women were not allowed simple rights, commonly provided today, such as citizenship or voting. Several Greek myths provide insight to the misogynistic view held. Atalanta, despite being a well-known athlete that held onto her virtue as a virgin, lost that because she was distracted by gold. Procris promised to stay faithful to her husband but abandoned any promise when she was given new jewelry. The Amazons were a fear of the ancient Greeks because of their independence and lack of need for men. However, despite their warrior nature, they are never able to defeat men in battle. Medea is the epitome of ancient Greek fears of different people. She is a foreign princess and a sorceress. She is so different, she is capable of the worst murders, including burning of innocent girls and killing her own