Eiréne and Pax: Women's conceptualisations and practices in Ancient Societies

Abstract

This paper attempt to delve into the conceptualisation of peace from the perspective of
women, in particular , those peace-bound practices attributed to women in Greek and Roman
societies. Starting with the gender roles assigned to women and men in those societies, the
argument presented here revolves around three main lines: that the feminine conceptualisation
of Peace (her representation as a goddess) is an integral part of the discourse about womanhood
such as it existed in those societies; that women's peaceful attitudes, whether real or fictional,
are bound to the normative exercise and defence of the gender roles they are required to play;
and, lastly, that men's power assimilates traits thought to be typical of women, such as peace
itself, just in case this assimilation should further the universal aims of their drive to exercise
power.