Oude vrouwen in Griekenland en Rome

In this paper we study the post-menopausal woman in Greece and Rome, and we compare her position with modem conditions in the Mediterranean. Since men were primarily interested in women as producers of children, they had little interest in old women. The consequences were manifold. First, we look at the greater freedom of movement of old women, their position as midwife, purifier and prophet, and their role in certain rituals. Next we explain the depiction of old women as credulous and bibulous, and their place in thc Greek 'imaginaire'. Finally, we analyse the connection of old women with magic.