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232 After Pericles’ law in 451/0 that both mother and father should be Athenians in order to be an Athenian citizen, Athenian women probably become more important. 234 On these vases there is usually one person playing music and another listening, and the music serves as an expression of grief (Fig. 235 It is most probable that these women are mortals and respectable Athenian citizens, for the following reasons: their clothing indicates that they are not hetaerae but respectable women; besides, they are not pictured in a context similar to that of the symposion scenes, and the atmosphere is much calmer.

3 Women and mousike In the Republic Plato speaks of the education and position of women in his ideal State. When Socrates says that friends will have all in common, his companions ask him to explain what kind of a community of women and children this will be. But Socrates is reluctant to answer, since he feels trouble will arise from what he will say. 188 He believes that women should have the same duties as men, and therefore the same nurture and education, in music, gymnastics, and the art of war.

176 It is worth noting that these religious songs were accompanied by the aulos, something that proves the serious and ritualistic side of the instrument; Bundrick 2005, 81. 171 33 ideals of Plato and other writers, such as Xenophon, and they do not always represent the real symposia. There are vase paintings for example, which show that a drinking party can get out of control, including very drunk men and even sexual orgies (Fig. 177 Even Plato suggests there to be “banqueting laws” about speaking, drinking, and playing music, as well as “officers of Dionysos”, who will make sure that the drinking stays under control.