Question

What does the text say about ancient women and power?

They had political influence.

Women only held military power.

They never held power of any kind.

Women held many different types of power.

Answer 1

The one major public role reserved solely for women was in the sphere of religion: the priestly office of the Vestals. Forbidden from marriage or sex for a period of thirty years, the Vestals devoted themselves to the study and correct observance of rituals which were deemed necessary for the security and survival of Rome but which could not be performed by the male colleges of priests.