Free Lecture: Secluded or Active? Reconstructing Women’s Lives in Ancient Athens

Were ancient Athenian women hidden away at home or were they active members of their community? The answer is complicated. Our sources are limited, unreliable and contradict each other. Archaeology and texts paint different pictures. Trying to make sense of the evidence is challenging. This talk will look at the evidence from historians, legal cases, literature, vase painting and the remains of ancient houses to explore what we can really know about the role and status of women in ancient Athens.

• 60-minute talk including opportunity for Q&A

• Delivered in-person at the Hellenic Museum, or online via Zoom

  • When booking tickets, please choose your attendance mode carefully. In-person capacity is strictly limited, and guests with online tickets will not be admitted to the physical venue.

• Online attendees will receive the Zoom link by email in the week leading up to the event

• All attendees will receive access to the Zoom replay within 3 days of the event

Tickets for this event are free. However, if you are in the position to, we warmly invite visitors to nominate a ticket price of their choice. If you choose to pay, all proceeds will support future Hellenic Museum programs and the creation of opportunities for arts and history practitioners.

The Hellenic Museum's annual Summer School is a series of relaxed, informative and entertaining short courses exploring the fascinating world of the ancient Greeks and Romans, presented by Dr Christopher Gribbin. Visit the Summer School hub to explore all courses on offer in January 2027.