Lecture 26. Women in Late Antiquity
I. Tribute to a Mother and Wife
-Augustine
Confessions 9: Monica's influence on Augustine's conversion
-Monica's
endurance of abuse and adultery
A.
Early betrothal (from 7yrs old): Wedding gifts (sponsalia)
B.
Sexuality
Fornication:
civil law = double standard; church law = egalitarian
Birth
control and abortion: civil law = no regulation; church law = treats
as murder
C.
Divorce: High empire = free and open
Constantine
forbids unilateral divorce in 331 (double standard)
Civil
law modified to allow equality / flexibility
Church
law continues to forbid divorce
D. Celibacy:legal from 320 AD; allows for asceticism / sexual renunciation
Repression
or freedom?
III. Spiritual Freedom:Christian Ascetics
A.
"Asceticism": Rigorous Christian “Practice” (poverty, chastity, renunciation);
Monastics and Hermits
-Freedom
for females:egalitarian; control
B.
Macrina (c. 327-379): betrothed but never married
-Establishes
female monastery at Anessi in Cappadocia-Influences foundation of eastern
monasticism (Basil)
C.
Melania the Younger (c. 383-438): Roman aristocratic
family
-Deal
with Pinianus:two children then asceticism
-Sell
property: Move to Africa / Holy Land; monasteries
-Powerful friends: Empress Eudocia
IV. Intellectual Freedom:Pagan Philsosophers
A.
Neo-Platonism: one god; asceticism and spirituality
B.
Hypatia (370-415): Alexandrian; Top Neo-Platonist of her age
-Pupil Synesios:asks advice, support, scientific instruments
-Political
influence leads to murder by Bishop Cyril
V. Power: Imperial
Women
Aelia
Pulcheria, sister of Theodosius II (409-450)
-Rise
of the "Byzantine Empress"
