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Rating: 
Summary: Impressive portrait.
Review: Grim picture of the status of women in Greek and Roman society. A scientific exploration based on classical marriage contracts, legal and medical texts, demographic data (on female infanticide) and philosophical and literary works (Plato, Aristoteles, Homeros and others).
The status of Aspasia (Pericles' hetaera) was an exception. Women were confined to the domestic sphere, totally inferior to men and the subject of systematic misogyny by poets and philosophers.
The author also elucidates why the Isis cult was persecuted by emperor Tiberius.
This is a model study. A necessary work not to be missed by readers interested in classical history. It is a look at that section of ancient culture that didn't take part in philosophical discussions or political decision making, but that composed the majority on which the first democracy - for a minority - was built. Work by Catherine Salles and Bettina Eva Stumpp on the same subject is also a compelling read.
Rating: 
Summary: Creative use of evidence?
Review: I chose to study the lives of Classical Women as part of my Ancient History degree. It was fascinating. I was not impressed by Sarah Pomeroy's work, because of her blatent 'adaptation' of quotes to serve her purpose. Every historian is influenced by their own contemporary society. Inevitably. Existing viewpoints always need to be challenged and reviewed. (This will include Sarah Pomeroy a few decades down the trail). Personally I feel this book is written for modern political viewpoints and I think it could have been far more balanced.
Rating: 
Summary: Very good introductory survey!
Review: I think this book opens up a lot of questions for further discussion. Pomeroy's mastery of the sources is unquestionable. More slanted toward Athens than I would prefer to use in my university course on womena and family in the pre-modern west, but still the best general book around after a quarter century!
Rating:
Summary: Very good introductory survey!
Review: I think this book opens up a lot of questions for further discussion. Pomeroy's mastery of the sources is unquestionable. More slanted toward Athens than I would prefer to use in my university course on womena and family in the pre-modern west, but still the best general book around after a quarter century!
Rating:
Summary: Great history.
Review: One of, if not the best, compact source for classical women's history. Readable and comprehensive.
Rating:
Summary: Understanding women
Review: Sarah Pomeroy's book is very helpful in staring the process of uncovering the unwritten history of women ancient Greece and Rome. All trained scholars will recognize that this book is of excellent quality and will use it with many other books by other authors to get a wider, more complete view of the situation. It was well written and easy to read. Scholars of women's history and of ancient history will appreciate this book.
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