One (1) primary source analysis is due this term (worth 100 points). This short paper, 1,000–1,200 words (including footnotes) is a formal analysis of a primary source and a bibliography. Source analysis is at the heart of a historian’s research and deep and critical reading of material (even if it is only a badly corroded coin or chunk of pot sherd). Source analysis can tell us a lot if we ask the right questions.
Purpose:
The purpose is to gain fluency in close reading of a single primary source from class to discern context, to analyze the content, and pose thesis-seeking questions. The goal is not to merely summarize what the source is and what it says but to deeply engage with it and study it. The link above will give some types of questions to ask. Our goal is to look at the lives of two women in ancient Greece, Aspasia and Neaira and think about what the primary source evidence says and how they portray these two women (and why they portray them this way). Our readings from class (and the seminar discussion) feed directly into this paper.
Aspasia and Neaira Assignment
We have been and we will be continuing to talk about gender roles and sexuality (and sex) in antiquity as well as the political power men and women had (or didn’t have). So, given all that information you must answer the following questions in your paper:
What was the difference between the treatment of Aspasia and Neaira in our ancient sources and why do you think these differences existed?
Support your argument with appropriate citations and examples from the assigned texts to support your discussion. Key points: What made these two women so similar and yet so different? Why were they treated in such a radically different way (if so)? *Use the essay question as your title. Do not make up your own title.*
I do not specify which ‘angle of attack’ you must take. That is YOUR decision and it is your responsibility to not only elucidate your own argument but to use information from the readings to support what you want to say and to show your understanding of the sources.
Refer back to the essay cover sheet (linked) for what I will be looking for in addition to the facts and arguments you convey.
***Length of the Aspasia/Neaira paper: 1000-1200 words, double-spaced. The minimum/maximum lengths are not optional and the word count includes footnotes but not your bibliography.***
(More information to consider when writing)
As you read make some notes:
What is the difference in how each woman is treated and was it about her status as a metic or ex-slave or as a former prostitute/sex-worker?What do you think made for such a radically different treatment of the two women in antiquity? What did you think of the Kurke article? Were you surprised at the linkage between politics and the hetairai?
How did hetairai differ from the mere pornai? How did these women differ from Greek wives?
How do you think women in general are seen given the way these women are treated/were treated?
“Hetaira is a “courtesan” or “mistress” of one or two men and paid in gifts by being their companion at symposia and revels in contrast from pornai who are seen by uncountable amount of men and they are usually found on the streets or brothels. They are paid in cash and are only used for sexual desires. These woman who treated differently because hetaira where often purchased as children and trained by their owners to be entertainers and companions and there was no need for sex while pornai where usually slaves or non-citizens who were there to provide services for the lower class. These woman were treated differently from the Greek wives because the wives are too innocent and pure to be treated the same. They can’t leave the house and see their husbands drinking or talking business. Hetaira were the woman who were ‘honored’ to accompany the man to these meetings and get gifts but these two women can’t meet each other. Pornai women were probably treated poorly and seen as filthy rather than appreciated like the hetaira women were treated.”
Sources to use for information on Aspasia:
https://penelope.uchicago.edu/~grout/encyclopaedia_romana/greece/hetairai/aspasia.html
https://sacred-texts.com/cla/luc/wl3/wl303.htm (for information on Lucian of Samosata, Portrait Study).
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/1682/1682-h/1682-h.htm (for information on Plato, Menexenus for another view of a fictionalized Aspasia).
Sources to use for information on Neaira:
http://data.perseus.org/texts/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0014.tlg059.perseus-eng1Links to an external site.
(Demosthenes 59, Against Neaira).
