Cookie Policy

Our website uses cookies to understand content and feature usage to drive site improvements over time. To learn more, review our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Women in the Ancient World

Driving Question: How did the roles of women differ in ancient Rome and Han China?

The Roman Empire and Han China might have been separated by a continent and thousands of miles, but they still shared several characteristics in common. In this lesson, you’ll examine the roles and rights of women in each society.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Explain and compare the roles of women in classical societies such as ancient Rome and Han Dynasty China.
  2. Use a graphic biography to support, extend, or challenge the overarching narratives from this period.
  3. Use close-reading skills to analyze the roles of women in classical societies.

Vocab Terms:

  • dowry
  • patrician
  • submissive
STEP 1

Opener: Women in the Ancient World

Comparing the lives of women in Han China and Rome can help reveal commonalities and differences in the values of these two societies. In this activity, you’ll read several statements and guess which society they applied to.

STEP 2

Women in Rome and China

Women’s struggle for equality has been ongoing for millennia. Whether in ancient China or ancient Rome, women pushed or ignored boundaries set by men.

Comparative Roles of Women in Rome and Han China External link

This video uses a speech by an elite Roman patrician and the writing of an elite Han historian—both women—to compare the lives of women in ancient Rome and China.

Key Ideas

As this video progresses, key ideas will be introduced to invoke discussion.
STEP 3

Closer: Women in the Ancient World

Use this informal writing opportunity to reflect on the similarities and differences among ancient empires and belief systems.