Longman / Prentice Hall

History

Browse available resources for Western Civilization:



Creating Women: An Anthology of Readings on Women in Western Culture, Volume 1 (Prehistory Through the Middle Ages)
Jean Gould Bryant, Florida State University
Linda Bennett Elder, Valdosta State University

ISBN-10: 0137596227
ISBN-13: 9780137596225

Publisher: Prentice Hall
Copyright: 2005
Format: Paper; 352 pp
Published: 11/29/2004

Suggested retail price: $58.67
Buy from myPearsonStore

Creating Women is a rich, interdisciplinary, two-volume anthology of primary source material examining women's participation in and contributions to western culture over the centuries. It documents prevalent concepts of the nature of women and women's roles and status in diverse cultures, geographic locations, and periods of western civilization. Narrative framework, biographical vignettes, and introductions to documents carefully place women and their achievements within the social context in which they lived and worked.

  • Examines women's participation in culture during the major periods of western civilization—Pays particular attention to how societal changes and significant historical events affected women's roles and cultural contributions. Shows how change often affected men and women in significantly different ways.

    • Helps students understand how gender has shaped the experiences and expectations of human beings throughout western civilization.

  • Interdisciplinary approach—Presents primary source documents from a variety of disciplines, and highlights women's achievements. Narrative and introductions carefully establish links between women's achievements in different disciplines and highlight patterns of female creativity in particular fields.

    • Piques students' interest by drawing on various cultural fields such as religion, the visual arts, literature or music, and discussing the multi-talented “renaissance” women with significant achievements in a number of fields.

  • Explores concepts of womanhood and essential differences between men and women, showing how the “woman question” was a central philosophical, political, and practical issue in western civilization.

    • Introduces students to the concept of gender as a significant factor shaping people's lives and encourages discussion about the importance of gender (and other factors such as class, race, religion) in their own experiences. Sharpens students' critical and analytical skills by requiring them to factor these issues into an analysis of western civilization.

  • Broad selection of documents by and about women from prehistory to the present—Reveals women's status in society and their roles in shaping significant cultural developments in religion, the visual and performing arts, literature and thought.

    • Enables instructors to easily incorporate women's experiences and contributions into their courses. Portrays women as active participants and leaders in all periods of western civilization.

  • Narrative framework for the primary source readings assumes no prior knowledge of the material.

    • Accessible for students with introductions that clearly explain the significance of each document and person or group; primary sources let students and instructors know what creative women thought about their lives and work; and how women dealt with societal expectations of women's roles and abilities.

  • Numerous visual aids include maps, timelines, and charts—These clarify the geographic locale, historical context, and time frame of documents and highlight patterns of social/political organization that characterize major shifts in culture.

    • Link women and their achievements with more familiar historical events covered in most texts. Instructors can use these timelines as an organizational tool for chapter materials. Students will use them to help identify the time periods under discussion and understand major events and transitions in human culture.

  • Study questions for each group of documents.

    • Prompt class discussions and provide ideas for further exploration and test questions.

  • Brief annotated bibliography and list of suggested media resources at the end of each chapter.

    • Allows instructors to develop additional lecture material and enrich classes with music, art, archaeological evidence, and video excerpts from dance and theatre.

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction

 

Part I Women in Pre-history and The Ancient Near East

 

Chapter 1 Paleolithic,Neolithic, and Proto-Historic Cultures

Paleolithic Old Europe

Social Organization

Subsistence

Technology

Religion

    The Holy

    Symbol System

    Myth and Ritual

    Religious Functionaries

Neolithic Old Europe

Religion

    The Holy

    Ritual

    Religious Functionaries

    Myth

    Symbol Systems

Social Organization

Subsistence

Neolithic Anatolia

Religion

    The Holy

    Myth

    Ritual

    Religious Functionaries

Social Organization

Subsistence

Technology

The Proto-Historic Period

    Scenario One

    Scenario Two

Suggested Readings

 

Chapter 2 Ancient Near Eastern Mesopotamia: The Religious Context

Religion

    The Holy/Myth

        The Sacred Marriage of Inanna and Damuzi

        Pudu-heppas’ Prayer to Arinna the Sun Goddess

    Religious Functionaries

    En, Entu: High Priestess

        The High Priestess Enheduanna’s Hymn to Inanna

    Contexts of Correspondence from Mari

    The Ugbabatum Priestess

        Zimri-Lim to Kibri-Dagan Re: Ugbabatum Priestess of Dagan

        Zimri-Lim to Queen Sibtu Re: Ugbabatum Priestess of Dagan

    The Naditu

        Love Song to a King

        Harris’ Description of Naditus

        Excerpt 2

        Eristi-Aya, a Daughter of Zimri-Lim, Letter Excerpts

    Two Letters from Lamassi

    Female Scribes and Entrepreneurs

        Amat Samas, Scribe

        Hussutum, the Daughter of Sin-putram

        Iltani the Princess, Excerpts

        Inanna-amamu, Scribe, Daughter of Abba-tabum, Excerpts

    Female Prophets

        Oracles

Suggested Readings

 

Chapter 3 Ancient Near Eastern Mesopotamia: The Social Context

Social Organization

    Cosmology Shapes Culture

        The Enuma Elish: The Babylonian Genesis

Women in the Aristocracy

    Women of the Royal Household

        Queen Adad-Guppi, A Burial Inscription

    Correspondences: Personal and Political

        Queen Sibtu of Mari, Correspondence Excerpts

        Politically Prominent Concubines of Zimri-Lim, Letter Excerpts

        A Political Marriage

Legal Status of Women

    Legal Codes

        Law Codes from Lipit Ishtar 3000-2500 B.C.E.

        Lipit-Ishtar Law Code 3000-2500 B.C.E.

        Ur-Nammu Law Code 2000’s B.C.E.

        Eshnunna Law Code 2000’s B.C.E.

        Hittite Law Codes ca. 1800 B.C.E.

        Law Code of Hammurabi 1700s B.C.E.

Women Outside the Nobility

    Female Scribes

    Female Merchants and Artisans

    Female Serfs

    Female Slaves

Suggested Readings

 

Chapter 4 Ancient Egypt

Social Organization

Religion

    The Holy/Myth: Female Principle of the Divine

        Ma’at, Cosmic Female Principle ofWisdom and Judgment of the Dead

        The Goddess Isis Discovers Re’s Unknown Name of Power

    The Holy/Ritual

        Hymn to Hathor

    Female Religious Functionaries

    First Prophet of Amun

        Stele of Nitocris at Medinet Habu

Women in the Aristocracy

    Female Kings of Egypt

    Meryt-Neith

    Nitocris

    Sobeknofu

    Hatshepsut

        Obelisk Inscriptions of Queen Hatshepsut in the Temple of Karnak

    Nefertiti

    Twosret

    Female Queens of Egypt

        Queen Ankhesenamun of Egypt and King Suppiluliumas

    Queen Tiye

        A Proclamation by Amenhotep III

Women Outside the Nobility

    Legal Status of Women

    Women’s Occupations

    Education

    Wisdom Literature

        The Instruction of Ani from the Reign of Queen Nefertari

    Egyptian Secular Love Poetry

        Poems from Papyrus Harris 500 11

Suggested Readings

 

Chapter 5 Ancient Israel

Social Organization

Women of the Patriarchs

        Sarah and Hagar,Mothers of Two Nations

Women in the Aristocracy

    Queens, Princesses, Queen Mothers

        Bathsheba,Wife of King David,Mother of King Solomon

        Tamar, David’s Daughter, Raped by Her Brother Amnon

        Queen of Sheba and Solomon: Mutual Admiration

        Jezebel, a Despised Foreign Queen of Israel; Devotee of Ba’al and Asherah

Religion

    The Holy

        The Female Principle of Divine Wisdom Was Present at Creation

        Images of the Female at Creation: Genesis 1 and Genesis 2

        Israelites Bake Breads for the Queen of Heaven

    The Holy/Ritual

        Queen Esther and the Feast of Purim

    Female Religious Functionaries

    Miriam

        The Prophet Miriam at the Sea of Reeds

        Miriam: Administrator of Law at Kadesh

    Deborah

        Deborah: Prophet, Judge, and Warrior in Israel

        Huldah, Court Prophet to King Josiah

Women Outside the Nobility

        An Unnamed Woman is Sexually Abused in the Name of Hospitality

        The Beloved Lover in the Song of Songs

Suggested Readings

 

Part II Women in The Mediterranean and The Greco-Roman World

 

Chapter 6 Women at Crete and Greek Women beyond Athens

Brief Overview of Archaeological Excavations at Crete

Social Organization

Subsistence

Technology

    Architecture

    Nature

    Maritime Motif

    Protection Motif

Religion

    The Holy

    Myth

    Ritual

    Symbol Systems

    Female Functionaries

Greek Women’s Experience Beyond Athens

Sparta

        Regulations of Lycurgus Concerning Spartan Women

        Xenephon on the Education of Spartan Women

        Plutarch on the Pride and Assurance of Spartan Women

        Aristotle on Women at Sparta

Lesbos

    Sappho

        Selections from Sappho’s Poems

Telos

    Selections from Erinna’s Poems

        Two Epigrams for Baucis

Crotona (Italy)

    Early Female Pythagoreans

    Theano of Crotona, Excerpts

        On the Immortality of the Soul

        Advice to Women

    Myia, Daughter of Theano and Pythagoras

        Myia’s Letter to Phyllis

Female Heroes

        Telesilla

        Artemisia

Suggested Readings

 

Chapter 7 Athens

Social Organization

        Eumenides

Wives, Daughters,Mothers of Citizens

        Aristotle, Excerpts from Politics

    Women Represented in Greek Tragedy and Comedy

        Euripedes,Medea,Medea’s Assessment of Husbands

Legal Status of Women

        Isaeus, On Property Laws for Women and Children

        Inheritance Laws for Athenian Women

        Provisions for Female Children

Religion

    The Holy

        Homeric Hymn to Demeter

    Ritual

        Callimachus, Thesmophoria Hymn 6

    Female Functionaries

        Thucydides, Chrysis, Priestess of Hera

        The Religious Duties of Aristocratic Young Girls

Women Outside the Aristocracy

    Hetairae

    Aspasia of Miletus

        Plutarch on Aspasia

        Menexenus

        Plato’s Female Pupils

Women at Work

    Occupations

Suggested Readings

 

Chapter 8 Etruria and The Roman Republic

Etruria

Social Organization

Women in the Aristocracy

    The Textual Evidence

        Queen Tanaquil: Kingmaker

    Archaeological Evidence

    Queen Larthia and the Regolini-Galassi Tomb

    Ramtha, Immortalized on the Banquet of Eternity” Sarcophagus

Religion

    The Holy

    Myth

    Ritual

    Female Religious Functionaries

        Vigoia, Etruscan Prophetess

Women Outside the Aristocracy

The Roman Republic

Social Organization

Patrician Women

    Men Writing about Patrician Women

        Livy’s Account of Lucretia

        Valerius Maximus Praises Three Virtuous Women

Legal Status of Women

    The Laws of the Kings, Rome

        Laws Attributed to Romulus

        Laws attributed to Numa Pompilius

        Excerpts from “The Twelve Tables”

        Husbands’ Punishment of Wives in Early Rome

    The Roman Jurists

Religion

    The Holy

    Myth

    Rituals

    Female Religious Functionaries

        Aulus Gellius’ Account of the Vestal Virgins

        Plutarch on Numa Pompilius and the Vestal Virgins

Plebian Women

        Should We Organize?

        The Rape of the Sabine Women

Suggested Readings

 

Chapter 9 The Hellenistic World

Social Organization

Women in the Aristocracy

    Olympias

        Olympias, Queen of Macedonia

        Olympias’ Tears

        The Aged Olympias Rides into Battle

    Hellenistic Queens: Ptolemaic Egypt

        Arsinoe II Philadelphus

    Cleopatra VII

        A Sympathetic Portrait of Cleopatra VII

Education

    Education for Women

Women Outside the Aristocracy

    Female Philosophers

        Hipparchia the Cynic

    Female Pythagoreans

        “On Human Nature”

    Late Pythagoreans

        Perictione I: On the Harmony ofWomen

        Letter from Theano II to Rhodope

        Perictione II: Sophias (Wisdom)

    Female Physicians

    Female Poets

    Anyte: Epigrams

        Miletus

        Thersis

    Nossis: Epigrams

        To Hera

        To Thaumarete

    Musicians and Painters

        Women Painters

        Polygnota, the Harpist

    Occupations

        Eirene, Agricultural Entrepreneur

Religion

    Mystery Religions

    The Holy/Myth

    Isis and Osiris

Suggested Readings

 

Chapter 10 Women in Hellenistic Judaism

Social Organization

Women In The Aristocracy

    Salome Alexandra

        Salome Alexandra Portrayed by Josephus

Education

    Influence Among Hellenistic Jews

    Jewish Women and Education in the Hellenistic Period

        “The Rule Annex,” IQSA

    Mishnaic Tractates

Legal Status of Women

    Mishnaic Tractates Concerning Marriage and Women’s Inheritance

        Ketubot

Religion

    The Holy

        Sophia in the Wisdom of Solomon

        Sophia in Sirach

    The Holy/Myth

        Judith’s Victory Ode

    The Holy Ritual

        Jewish Maidens Re-enact Seila’s Pilgrimage

        Female Theraputae Celebrate in Hymns and Dances

        Venerable Female Essenes are Honored and Esteemed

    Female Religious Functionaries

    Female Leaders Featured in Texts

        The Sages Recognize Seila’s Wisdom

Women Outside the Aristocracy

    Jewish Women in Alexandrian Public Life

        Philo on the Special Laws

    Female Entrepreneurs

        Female Entrepreneurs at Elephantine

Suggested Readings

 

Part III The Roman Empire, Christian Origins, Late Antiquity, and The Middle Ages

 

Chapter 11 The Roman Empire

Social Organization

    Octavian Becomes Caesar Augustus

    Social Organization at the Beginning of the Roman Empire

Women in the Aristocracy

    Livia, Empress of Augustus

        Octavian’s Generosity to Livia

        Tiberius’s Resentment of Livia

        Livia’s Legacy Is Influenced by Tiberius

    Julia, Daughter of Augustus

        Julia’s Wit

        Caenis, Concubine of the Emperor Vespasian

Noble Roman Women Outside of Rome

        Flavia Publica Nicomachus, Phocaea, Asia Minor, Second Century C.E.

        Modia Quintia, Africa Proconsularis, Second—Third Centuries C.E.

        Aurelia Leite, Female Benefactor, Paros, 300 C.E.

        Pamphile, a Learned Woman, First Century, C.E.

Legal Status of Women

    Laws in the Roman Empire, 30 B.C.E.—250 C.E.

        Gaius on the Guardianship ofWomen

        A Law Requiring Men to Marry

        Rewards for Marrying and Producing Children

        The Consequences of Adultery

        Lolliane,Mother of Three, Requests Legal Autonomy

Religion

    The Holy

        The Transformation of Lucius

    Myth/Ritual

        Rituals of Initiation

        Ovid on the Worship of the Goddess Vesta

    Female Functionaries

Women Outside the Nobility

        Musonius Rufus On the Education ofWomen

Women’s Occupations

    Plebian Women and Freedwomen

        Apollonia, a Philosopher from Mysia

        A Female Commentator on Religious Ritual, Delphi

        Phile, Female Magistrate and Civic Benefactor, Priene

        Amemone, a Bar-maid

        An Actress from the Theatre at Aquileia

        To Bassilla, an Actress

    Women Who Practiced Medicine

        Primilla, a Physician at Rome

    Women in the Service or the Imperial Household

 

Chapter 12 Christian Origins

The Women Around Jesus

        Prophetic Gesture: A Woman Who Anointed Jesus’ Head

        Woman Who Anointed Jesus’ Head

    Mary of Magdala

        Mary Magdalene Among Women Who Provided for Jesus

        The Magdalene at the Resurrection in Luke’s Gospel

        Mary Magdalene in John’s Passion Narrative

        Gospel of Phillip Presents Mary Magdalene as Jesus’ Companion

        Gospel of Mary

Martha

    Joanna

    Female Prophets

        Anna the Prophet

        Four Sisters Are Prophets

Women in the Apostolic Church

    Teachers

        Priscilla and Aquila

    Female Missionaries and Leaders at Rome

        Phoebe: Deacon and Prostasis at Cenchreae

        Prisca: Missionary, Leader of a Church, Teacher

        Mary: A Worker in the Church at Rome

        Junia, Apostle

        Tryphena and Tryphosa,Workers in the Lord

        The Mother of Rufus: a Mother to Paul

        Julia: Sister of Nereus; Olympas: Saints in the Church at Rome

Women in the Post-Apostolic Church

    Female Priests Among Thracians

        Arabian Christian Women of Thracian Descent Who Bake Cakes to the Virgin Mary and Function as Priests

        A Montanist Visionary Submits Her Revelation to Careful Scrutiny

        The Montanists Prophets Maximilla and Priscilla

        Women Bishops, Presbyters, and Prophets among the Followers of Quintilla and Priscilla

    Images of the Female Principle of the Divine in Early Christian Gnostic Communities

        “The Thunder, Perfect Mind”

    Female Heroes in Second and Third Century Apocryphal Acts of the Apostles

        The Acts of Thecla

        Perpetua’s Account of Her Persecution

Suggested Readings

 

Chapter 13 Late Antiquity

Roman Women

    Ummidia Quadratilla

        Ummidia and Her Grandson

        Asclepiginia of Athens

        Asclepigenia’s Influence

Jewish Women

    Queen Helena of Adiabene

        Queen Helena

    Babata, a Wealthy Female Entrepreneur

        Excerpts from the Babata Archives

    Female Leaders in Synagogues

        Heads of Synagogues: Sophia and Theopempte

        Priests: Maria and Guadentia

        Donors to Synagogues: Alexandra, Eupithis, and Halipho

Rabbinic Judaism

        Beruriah

Byzantine Women

        Helen,Mother of Constantine

    Hypatia of Alexandria

        The Murder of Hypatia

    Empress Theodora

Christian Women in Late Antiquity: East and West

    Origins of Female Monasticism in the East

        Saint Macrina, Founder, Abbess, Teacher

    Desert Mothers

        Amma Sarah Instructs Holy Men

        Amma Syncletica Teaches Perseverance and Humility

    Female Deacons and the Order of Widows

        “Regulations for Deaconesses”

        “Regulations for Christian Widows”

    Origins of Monasticism in the West

        Jerome Praises Marcella and Her “Circle” of Holy Women

        Egeria’s Account of Her Pilgrimage to Jerusalem

The Celts

    Women Warriors

        “Rhiannon, the Horse Goddess”

        “Maedb,Woman Warrior”

    Celtic Christian Saints

        “St. Non”

        “St.Melangell”

Suggested Readings

 

Chapter 14 Medieval Culture: The Religious Context

Monastic life and Female Creativity

    Radegund of Poitiers (520—587)

        The Fall of Thuringia

    Hrotswitha of Gandersheim (ca. 935—1001)

        Dulcitius or The Martyrdom of the Holy Virgins Agape, Chione, and Irene

    Hildegard of Bingen (1098—1179)

        Hildegard to Pope Anastasius, 1153—54

        Excerpts from Causae et curae

        Songs from Symphony of the Harmony of Celestial Revelations

        “Vision Nine: 15 Wisdom and her appearance” from Scivias

Manuscript Illuminations

Varieties of Female Piety

    Mechthild of Magdeburg (ca. 1210-ca. 1282):Mystic and Beguine

        The Flowing Light of the Godhead

    Marguerite Porete (12??—1310):Mystic and Beguine

        Mirror of Simple Souls

    Julian of Norwich (b. 1343?):Mystic and Anchorite

        The Revelations of Divine Love

Medieval Images of Women: The Eva/Ave Dualism

        Malleus Maleficarum or The Hammer ofWitches, 1486: Eva Imagery

        “Why Superstition is chiefly found in Women” from Malleus Maleficarum

    Ave Imagery:Mariology or the Cult of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Suggested Readings

 

Chapter 15 Medieval Culture: The Secular Context

The Women Troubadours (Twelfth and Thirteenth Centuries)

    Castelloza (born ca. 1200)

        “Chanson II”

    La Comtessa de Dia (b. ca. 1140)

        “Estat ai en greu cossirier”

    Bieris De Romans

        “Chanson to Maria”

Women Artists, Artisans, and Patrons

    The Art of Embroidery

    Skilled Textile Workers and Guilds

        Ordinances Regulating the Paris Silk Workers’ Guild, 1254—71

        London Silk Women’s Petition to Parliament, 1455

    Manuscript Illuminations

        Anastasia

    Women Book Owners as Patrons

Two Major Writers of the Middle Ages

    Marie de France (Twelfth Century): Poet and Social Critic

        Selections from Marie’s Fables

Christine de Pizan (1365-ca. 1430—34): Voice for Women and France

        Pizan’s Defense ofWomen: The Book of the City of Ladies 1405

        Treasure of the City of Ladies

        Pizan’s Lament on the Evils of the Civil War, 1410

Suggested Readings

 

Bibliography

 

Creating Women is an invaluable resource for students and teachers in a broad range of courses. Its primary sources facilitate researching women's diverse contributions to Western culture. Exploration of women's creative endeavors from the Upper Paleolithic era to the present invites a powerful rethinking of the making of Western civilization. This expansive scope makes a compelling argument that women have been key in the development of culture from its very beginnings. It also reveals the; centrality of gender as a crucial element of social organization and human experiences.

Documents are well situated within more familiar time frames and movements; yet clarify the often-restrictive nature of these categories relative to women's experiences. Clear and concise introductions frame selections with pertinent details for contextualizing specific texts and images. While some individuals and selections will be familiar to many readers, others will represent new discoveries in the ongoing task of recovering forgotten women and their contributions.

Both Volumes I and II are sensitive to the diversity of women's voices and experiences in Western culture, and celebrate tire accomplishments of women from a broad range of backgrounds as well as the ingenuity of many whose circumstances worked against their talents and ambitions. The selections are lively and engaging, and often give very personal glimpses into both the societal creation of women and women's creativity.

View a Sample Chapter PDF:

Pearson Higher Education offers special pricing when you choose to package your text with other student resources. If you're interested in creating a cost-saving package for your students, contact your Pearson Higher Education representative for pricing and ordering information.

Pearson Higher Education offers special pricing when you choose to package your text with other student resources. If you're interested in creating a cost-saving package for your students, browse our available packages below, or contact your Pearson Higher Education representative to create your own package.



Copyright ©2008 Pearson Education. All rights reserved. Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Permissions