Byzantine Empire Case

The Byzantine Empire stood out in history for many different reasons. It inherited beliefs and customs from the empires before it and completely changed them. One of these reforms is the role of women in its society. Women played a greater role, had more rights and were given more education in the Byzantine Empire.

Women often participated in many aspects of the Byzantine society in some way. Some women ran businesses. One of the best known Byzantine businesses belonged to an extremely wealthy woman named Danelis. Women who weren’t as wealthy owned small shops. Women also participated in churches. They were either nuns or deaconesses. Sometimes, though rarely, women took an active role politics.

In this empire, women had the right to inherit property. Married women maintained ownership over their family’s dowries. While widowed women took over the care of their entire land. The women of the Byzantine Empire were allowed to chose whom they marry and also had the right to get a divorce.

Many girls learned to read and write in this empire. Though only a few exceptions were allowed to continue their education. Girls were encouraged to develop their domestic skills in preparation for marriage and motherhood. The role of being a mother was highly respected in the Byzantine Empire.

Men always rose above women in past empires. Though this is still true with the Byzantine Empire, women were more active within the society, had protected rights and were given more education than in any other empire. This is only one of the many reasons that the Byzantine Empire stands out in history.