Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Aristophanes' Women in Power

In the old Roman theatre of Merida you can watch and enjoy a classic Greek comedy: The Assembly of Women by Aristophanes.

The play is about a group of women and they have decided that the women must convince the men to give them control of Athens. They could rule it better than men. The women, in the guise of men, sneak into the assembly and vote the measure, convincing some of the men to vote for it.

The women set up an egalitarian society in which the state feeds, houses, and generally takes care of every Athenian. They enforce an idea of equality by allowing each man to sleep with any woman, provided that he sleeps with every woman in Athens who is uglier first.

Private property is abolished and all money and property are to go into a common fund. All expenses and purchases by each individual are to come out of the common fund. Any individual with personal property is considered to have stolen from the community.

It is quite impression to follow an ancient play in a authentic ancient surrounding. Your thoughts are meandering while realising that already 2,000 years ago people were sitting on these stone benches and listening to the actors.







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