Woman as Force in History

Book excerpt: In this classic, pioneering work on the status and position of women, Mary R. Beard challenges the widely held belief that women have been subject to men throughout the ages. She tests this idea of subjection against historical realities--legal, religious, economic, social, intellectual, military, political, and philosophical--and finds it to be meritless. Beard traces the error back to Sir William Blackstone's interpretation of women's legal status after marrying ("the very being or legal existence of the woman is suspended during marriage") and argues against this view. In answer to male historians who have failed to acknowledge the real influence of women in history, she provides a lengthy record of outstanding women and their contributions throughout history.