THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN HERODOTUS’ THE HISTORIES 1000W

From Helen of Troy to Candaules’ queen, historians have documented many quarrels over women. One historian in particular, Herodotus, wrote often of the implications women had on the history before him. Women over history played largely a secondary role in almost everything, from politics to simple household decision-making. Women also were married off in order to gain land and status for their families, especially their fathers. Yet wars, both civil and foreign, have been fought over women. If they were so secondary then how were they so influential throughout history? Herodotus has given us sufficient examples of women serving as monarchs, oracles, and even being involved in literature to present an argument that they played a more notable part in the society of previous cultures and history.