OK, I think I have seen enough museums now. Perhaps it has been too many partial statues, rocks, marble, pottery, and ancient jewelry...after a while it all looks the same! Haha!
Today we checked out the Cycladic Musuem. They were featuring a wonderful exhibit on Asklepius (the healing god) and his daughter Hygeia (health goddess). They didn't allow photos for that part, but it was fascinating. Next we moved onto the Ancient Everyday Life, which I found to be a nice walk-through. I was especially drawn to the depiction of marriage. They had some artifacts, but truly the artist illustrations were most informative.
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| After the bride's father has betrothed her to the man of his choosing, she is bathed and readied for the ceremony... |
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| she is dressed with the help of other women (I'm assuming friends and family), aren't these drawings great? |
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| In the ceremony, which is nothing like what we would expect, the groom takes his bride by the wrist denoting his possession, and leads her away... |
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| to a waiting chariot or cart where the wedding procession heads to his family home... |
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| where his mother is waiting for them... |
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| the groom then leads his bride to a private room to consummate the marriage, while his best friend keeps guard. That's it. Then she is expected to fulfill the role of wife for him - bear citizen sons, weave cloth and make clothing, provide meals, and take care of the children. She is also mandated to only leave their home at certain times when the city is less populated and only for specific errands or special occasions. |
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| The next day (I am hoping) women friends and family give gifts to the bride which include household and toiletry items for her. All women were restricted to the women's quarters of ancient homes. |
1 comment:
Interesting, though very patriarchal. I like the glassware especially. :o)
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