Mask of a girl with voluminous hair, tamed by an ornate hairband.
Girls in ancient Greece lived in a world strongly influenced by tradition, family, and religion. Their everyday lives mostly took place at home—as daughters, future wives, and mothers. From childhood, they were taught skills such as spinning, weaving, and housekeeping. Education was rare for girls of humble status, as reading and writing were considered male privileges. However, things were different in the military state of Sparta. The education of girls there was similar to that of boys. In particular, girls were encouraged to participate in sports. Married women held a respected position in their homes as mistresses, or kyrias. They also had the right to dispose of their own property.
Marriage was the central goal in life: girls were often married at the age of 13 to 16 – usually to older men chosen by their fathers. With marriage, legal guardianship passed from the father to the husband. Women did not have the right to vote and were not allowed to participate in political decisions.
Despite these restrictions, Greek art and mythology contain numerous depictions of female strength and symbolism. Goddesses such as Athena, Artemis, and Demeter embodied wisdom, hunting, and fertility.
Together with other female deities, women subtly dominated the ancient Greek pantheon, despite patriarchy. The so-called Tanagra figurines—delicate terracotta statuettes of young women—also bear witness to an aesthetic ideal and cultic worship.
Mask Exhibit from the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, circa 350-330 BC,
replica with hanging device
