FemBod · Female Bodies in Sacred Spaces: Re-evaluating Women’s Agency in the Greek World.

Female Bodies in Sacred Spaces: Re-evaluating Women’s Agency in the Greek World.

The roles of women in Archaic and Classical Greek religion have often been narrowly defined within the confines of fertility and reproduction—domains traditionally and unquestioningly associated with the feminine sphere. Scholarly attention has historically emphasised women as symbolic of life-giving forces, often sidelining their more complex religious functions and ritual authority. However, the contributions gathered in this volume challenge this reductive framing by presenting substantial new evidence that situates the mother goddess and broader expressions of femininity at the centre of ancient Greek religious experience more prominently than previously acknowledged. This reassessment has been made possible through the adoption of innovative methodologies that bring together cognitive and gendered approaches. These frameworks have facilitated a more critical interrogation of both literary and material sources, revealing longstanding interpretative biases and highlighting significant omissions in previous archaeological analyses. By re-evaluating the evidence through these lenses, the volume demonstrates the multifaceted roles women played in ritual contexts—not merely as passive bearers of fertility, but as active agents in religious practice and belief. Such approaches not only enrich our understanding of ancient Greek religion but also call for a broader reconsideration of the ways in which gender has shaped both ancient realities and modern interpretations.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union