g a bad example for other women who might choose to disobey their husbands. Then will the judgment executed by Your Majesty resound throughout your realm, vast though it is; and all wives will treat their husbands with respect, high and low alike (Esther 1:20).It is true that a handful of women were able to hold positions of power in ancient times. Hecuba, Esther, and Athena all held positions of influence in their respective surroundings. However, behind (or in front of) every powerful woman lies a more powerful man that she must answer to. Even a queen was expected to be dutiful and submissive. For example, Hecuba was Queen of Troy, but she never made any important decisions. Rather, she served as a figurehead to complete the other (lesser) half of King Priams royal image. Hecuba was a glorified housewife; she may have been able to participate in more public functions than the average Greek wife, but her husband Priam had complete control over the city of Troy. Esther married into a position of power, but still had to answer to her husband King Ahasuerus in everything that she did. She was not allowed to even enter the presence of her husband without first being summoned, and she was expected to address him as Your Majesty. Every time she spoke to him, she had to preface every statement with, If it please you, Your Majesty, in acknowledgement of her inherent duty as a husband-pleaser. Goddesses were able to make decisions and speak more freely than mortal women. During the Trojan War, Athena directs the actions of men such as Achilles, by making herself invisible to all others, then plucking his hair and threatening him. Athena also influences the actions of Achilles by handing him a spear during the final battle against Hector. Athenas power and influence as a goddess cannot be denied; however, her father Zeus is even more powerful and influential. When Athena does something that Zeus doesnt like, he has the power to ma...
