In The Iliad there is a vivid portrayal of the lives of men and women, and a very clear distinction between their functions in the ancient world.

From the very first book, we quickly realize that men belong on the battle field, as brave warriors. In book 6, Hector explains to his wife Andromache, "War is men's business." Women were not in any way involved with the activities of war. The women did not even accompany their husbands to the remote camps during the war; instead they were left at home, and years past without seeing their husbands.

The women's only involvement in the war was to support their husbands/brothers/fathers by praying to the Gods and making sacrifices to them. This is what the Trojan women did in Book 6, from Hector's instructions.

The women left behind were responsible for the running of the household, and with the...