Ancient stepmothers : : myth, misogyny, and reality / / by Patricia A. Watson.

• Superior document: Mnemosyne, bibliotheca classica Batava. Supplementum, 143
• VerfasserIn: Watson, Patricia A., 1947-
• Place / Publishing House: Leiden, The Netherlands ;, New York ;, Köln : : E.J. Brill,, [1995]; ©1995
• Year of Publication: 1995
• Language: English
• Series: Mnemosyne, Supplements 143.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (xii, 288 pages)

Ancient Stepmothers is the first full-length study of the stepmother in Graeco-Roman antiquity. Several perspectives are covered: literary, historical and sociological, the last-mentioned making use of comparative material from modern studies of stepfamilies. The portrayal of the stepmother in myth and literature is thoroughly explored. The historical background in Athens and Rome is examined with a view to determining the relationship between fiction and real life. The book makes an important contribution to the study of both literary history and family relationships: in particular, it sheds light on attitudes to women, the portrayal of the stepmother being an outstanding illustration of misogynistic prejudice. It will also interest sociologists wishing to place studies of the contemporary stepfamily in a wider historical context: for this reason, all Greek and Latin is translated into English.

Table of Contents

Preliminary Material / Patricia A. Watson -- Introduction / Patricia A. Watson -- Stepmothers in Greek Myth / Patricia A. Watson -- Stepmothers in Classical Athens / Patricia A. Watson -- The Saeva Noverca in Roman Literature / Patricia A. Watson -- Stepmothers in Roman Life / Patricia A. Watson -- Historical Figures: Livia, Agrippina and Octavia / Patricia A. Watson -- Conclusion / Patricia A. Watson -- The Stepmother Myths / Patricia A. Watson -- Origins of the Stepmother Myths / Patricia A. Watson -- The Stepmother in the Folktale / Patricia A. Watson -- Establishing a List of Inscriptions / Patricia A. Watson -- Selected Bibliography / Patricia A. Watson -- General Index / Patricia A. Watson -- Index of Passages Discussed / Patricia A. Watson -- Supplements to Mnemosyne / J.M. Bremer , L.F. Janssen , H. Pinkster , H.W. Pleket , C.J. Ruijgh and P.H. Schrijvers.