The average Athenian household oikos in the Classical Period normally consisted of husband, wife and children (who remained children until they started their own families) and their slaves.
The main functions of the household were: to ensure its survival house by producing legitimate successors; looking after its elderly members; and keeping up burial customs. Household duties in those days were dictated by practical necessity. And these in turn determined the relationships between the household's members. Although we cannot definitely say that there were no love matches, the rule seems to have been that spouses were selected on the criterion of suitability. This meant that while affection might subsequently develop between husband and wife, it was not regarded as a reason to marry. We often read of a husband in need of affection going to his hetaira, and his attitude towards his wife was one of respect and protectiveness. As for the wife, although she did not tend to keep quiet about her husband's philandering, legally there was nothing she could do about it. |
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