Role of Byzantine and Islamic Women

                                            Role of Byzantine and Islamic Women

Throughout history, the role of women has been vital in shaping civilizations. Men, however, have always seemed to have superiority over women. The women of the Byzantine and Islamic civilizations were treated with decency and respect despite the common stereotype of men having control over the women. In the Islamic civilization, the Qur’an states numerous times that women should be treated with civility. The Qur’an especially highlights it well in section four verse nineteen. In the Byzantine civilization, the mural titled “Theodora and her Retinue” highlights the equality women have with men. The Byzantine and Islamic were treated with decency because their opinions were heard, and they had the opportunity to be something more than just house wives.

In the Islamic religion, the Qur'an serves as the essential guide to everyday life. All Muslims who practice the faith must follow it .According the Qur’an in section four verse nineteen it states: If you believe this, know that you are prohibited to inherit women if they do not want to be married to you. Your also are not supposed to treat them harshly and as if they are inferior. Allah does not want you to patronize the women, but treat them with kindness. If you hate your wife, you hate what Allah has deemed as good. It reiterates that women are not to be inherited. Unless the women are guilty of infidelity, then you need to treat them with affection. Again it reestablishes that if you hate your wife then you hate something that Allah has deemed good. Primary Source

Empress Theodora and her Attendants

In the Byzantine culture, they liked to express certain aspects of their way of life through artwork. Theodora was an important figure in shaping the lives of women because she was married to the Byzantine emperor Justinian. In mural entitled "Empress Theodora and her Attendants” there are seven women who are perceived as her ladies in waiting on her left and two men on her right. The mural makes Theodora the main focus by making her in the center. Theodora is wearing a purple robe which is a sign of royalty and of a respectable stature. According to Stan Rummel, a history professor at Texas Wesleyan University, the purple robes were usually only worn by men of a high social ranking such as her husband Justinian. This is significant to women because it symbolizes that women are equal with men. She has a halo around her head which symbolizes power. This was an empowering symbol to the Byzantine women because it gave them a sense of equality. Primary Source

Byzantine and Islamic women in everyday life

          I. Theodora was responsible for majority of laws favorable towards women.

                      a. made trafficking among girls and women illegal

                      b. made laws to give women more benefits in divorce

                      c. she regularly took time to visit with the common women to find out what she could do to better their lives
Theodora the voice of the women because she made their opinions known and found ways to help them have better lives.

          II. Muhammad's wives were a key part of the Islamic culture, Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, his first wife was viewed as the voice of the women.

                      a. made women have deeper knowledge of religion

                      b. helped women who were less fortunate 

                      c.  participated in political assemblies and suggested ideas benefiting women

                      d. had equal rights with men when inheriting land
Khadijah bint Khuwaylid was a very prestigious women who used her high class figure to help the Islamic women as well as enrich them about developing religion. 

         III. The Byzantine women not only took care of household, but they did separate activities 

                     a. ran businesses

                     b. participated in church activities

                     c. became nuns, or deaconess's
Since Theodora made laws benefiting women, they decided to take advantage of the gift and do more than just stay at home. 

         IV. Since the Qur'an makes it clear that men should treat women with respect, many women wanted activate their right to do more that just raise a family.

                      a. participated in political assemblies

                      b. gained education
The Islamic women benefited from the Qur'an because it mandates equality among men and women.

Works Cited

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Hunt, Patrick. "Byzantine Art as Propaganda: Justinian and Theodora at Ravenna." N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2013. <http://traumwerk.stanford.edu/philolog/2006/01/byzantine_art_as_propaganda_ju.html>.

Rummel, Stan. "The Express Theodora and Retinue. " N.p., 2007. Web. 18 Dec.2013. 
<http://faculty.txwes.edu/csmeller/humanexperience/ExpData09/03Biee/BieePICs/1ByzPICs/Ravenna/StVitale547/Theo01Ret497.htm>.

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"Islams Women - Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid." Islams Women - Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2013. <http://www.islamswomen.com/articles/khadijah_bint_khuwaylid.php>.

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