Women in Power: Classical Myths and Stories, from the Amazons to Cleopatra

by Stephanie A. McCarter (Editor)

Classical stories about women who wield power from the Amazons to Dido to Cleopatra A Penguin ClassicThere is no other anthology that brings together similar stories of ancient women in power. These women threaten male power by stepping into the roles traditionally held by men. They command armies, exercise sexual autonomy and even dominance, speak in public, issue laws, and subject others (even masculine heroes and citizen men) to their control. All of these stories were written by men, and none of them can be read as affirmations or celebrations of women in power. They are instead misogynistic tales that aim to shore up masculine authority by exposing the consequences when women rather than men wield it.The sexist attitudes voiced in these stories continue to justify women’s exclusion from power in our contemporary world. Yet, despite the fear and suspicion the male authors direct toward these women, we can find much to admire in their tales, from the coordinated action of the women of Aristophanes’ Assemblywomen, to Dido’s questioning of the male value system that leads Aeneas to abandon her, to the righteous anger of Boudicca against sexual violence by men in power, to the successful resistance of Amanirenas against Rome’s colonial expansion. Read differently, these tales testify to the long history of women in power and help us forge new paths for female empowerment.

Genres: Classics, Nonfiction, Mythology, History, Feminism, Anthologies

352 pages, Paperback

Published September 10, 2024

Reviews

[Caris · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is ultimately a narrow selection of underwhelming stories, held together by thin commentary with a couple of obligatory references to intersectionality that aren’t actioned upon. Really disappointing.

[James Carrigy · Rating 2 out of 5]

5/10

Sure, the basic overarching point is correct, but there isn't too much in this compilation that hasn't been easily available for quite a while now, and the rest makes for slim pickings. Would probably be better off reading a monograph/book-length work of comparitive analysis that really digs in deep into the nature of the representations of classical women in power.

[Stephanie (Bookfever) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Women in Power: Classical Myths and Stories, from the Amazons to Cleopatra was a compelling read that I couldn't put down. Not only did I enjoy reading the stories and myths, I also highly enjoyed Stephanie McCarter's introduction at the start of the book and the little summaries and notes in between and before each chapter. I will read anything edited and/or translated by Stephanie McCarter!

[Tony Gualtieri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-chosen collection of passages from classical history and literature. The anthologist has made some unexpected choices that will delight even ardent students of the Greeks and Romans. While it is expected to relate Dido’s career using Virgil, it comes as a nice surprise to read Ovid’s nuanced defense of the Phoenician queen as a response. And where one would expect Aristophanes to be represented by Lysistrata, we instead find the Assemblywomen with its coarse humor and assertion of female superiority.

One can’t help but be moved by Boudica’s speech, quoted by Cassius Dio, which sounds pertinent to today as an early cry against colonialism. It is not too much of a stretch to imagine Palestinians making a similar statement against the dehumanization imposed on them by Zionists. Let us hope that the Gazans have a more successful denouement against their oppressors.

[Mac Chamberlain]

A great anthology!! The fruit of a great community of translators. The introduction essay perfectly frames what to expect from the anthology, and the notes throughout are super helpful and informative. This would be great for a women in antiquity class, world lit, or anyone trying to get more involved with primary ancient sources.

[Theodora Zourkas · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay. McCarter did a great job with the translations an the introductions.
The subjects I was interested in however barely got a page or two (but that could be due to available references), yet we got the whole Aristophanes play Assemblywomen - I know its a classic but I still found boring.

[abi · Rating 4 out of 5]

sometimes you just need a non-fic palate cleanser