A thread for historical/cross-cultural discussions of women's position in society

[M0stlyHet]

Maybe this should go in feminism theory, but I'm not sure how many people read that. Anyway, this is for the good, the bad and the ugly - so long as it sheds light on women's rights.

So I'm going to start with the good - a nice article from the Washington Post on the political power of women in traditional Iroquois culture and the impact it had on the early US suffragists among the European settlers. (Hope it's not behind a paywall).

Mystic I saw that programme on the Empress Wu Zetian. It was very interesting. Certainly in conventional Chinese history I've only ever read that she was a concubine, slept her way to the top, and was very cruel to everyone who could threaten her position. And she demanded all kinds of luxuries, like flowers blooming in winter, much like Mariah Carey and her kittens.

devi hopefully Lucy will make a better job, of telling the story of Henry'so wives.

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0854cjm

Very interesting thread - there are many sections that were taken out of the bible, not just about Christian priestesses but also the role of Mary Magdalene was significantly diminished from early versions that have been found.

I believe the rewriting of history is entirely intentional - for example, Islam had important female Imams who were later declared to be against God and there were attempts to destroy all records of their work.

Elaine Pagels is very good on early Christianity and the position of women. She makes the argument that early Christian beliefs were actually very liberating for many Roman women because they were able to argue a case to withdraw from the requirements of the Roman state/society.

Adam, Eve and the Serpent is a valuable read: www.amazon.co.uk/Adam-Eve-Serpent-Elaine-Pagels/dp/0679722327