Dig Into History

34

A

s with Greek and Roman women, mos

Byzantine women spent much of their

women’s quarters called gynaikonitisth

to men. (Note: Gyne is Greek for “woman.”) The

spin and weave cloth. Many Byzantine women

have access to basic education. They could also

certain areas of public life, including shopping i

markets, worshiping in church, socializing in pu

baths, visiting, attending church and public bat

relatives, and participating in festivals.

Writers and More

Many Byzantine women also cooked and owne

businesses, inns, and shops. The law also gave t

right to inherit and control their money. Many

to support monasteries, schools, scholars, and a

joined convents, which allowed them to live wit

responsibilities of caring for a home. Life in a co

afforded women time to study, write, or compos

became scholars. A good example is the philoso

astronomer, and mathematician Hypatia of Al

Egypt (c. 370–415C.E.).

While there are several notable Byzantine wo

perhaps the best known is Princess Anna Komn

the Alexiad about the reign of her father, Empero

Komnenos, which began in 1081 and lasted unt

Kassia the Poet, born in 810C.E., was a nun, as w

a prolific poet and composer. She founded and g

a convent near Constantinople and wrote many

hymns, some of which are still performed today

in Orthodox Church services.

by E

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ed textile

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artists. Others

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se music. Some

opher,

exandria,

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ene. She wrote

or Alexios

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illustrated by Lisa Fields

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