A scholarly survey traces women's social, legal, and religious roles in ancient Greek and Roman societies and within early Christian communities. It examines literary and historical sources to contrast Homeric, Spartan, and Athenian practices, highlights poetic and public figures, and analyzes Roman family law, religious life, and domestic effects of marriage arrangements. The study then considers the changing status of women in early Christianity, offering explanations for shifts in influence. Supplementary chapters address contested interpretations, regional variations, cultural practices, and specific textual portraits, and the volume concludes with a bibliography and index.