From Birth to Burial: Exploring Social Positioning and Symbolic Representation of Women in Athenian Grave Stelae

This thesis explores the positionality of women in ancient Athenian culture through the context of funerary engagement. The research examines the evolution of female identity in grave reliefs and how ideals were instilled and perpetuated in society. By comprehensively reviewing influential voices of ancient Athens that contributed to discussions surrounding women and their positionalities in ancient Athens, historically significant laws and legislation pertaining to funeral rites, an investigation of grave stelae manufacturing, before a final analysis of crafted grave stelae representing women at different life stages, this thesis aims to holistically investigate the ways in which women in ancient Athens were memorialized and how this affected the production of social ideology surrounding female identity. This research aims to contribute to a richer understanding of the ancient Athenian social landscape during the Classical period to better comprehend the production of social ideology. By examining the interplay between socio-political factors and individual agency, valuable insights into the complex dynamics and underlying forces that shaped the societal perceptions and roles of women in ancient Athens can be better understood.