30 A.D.: Segregation based on gender is rigid. In some cases, wives are little better than slaves. Recent scholarship has uncovered evidence of individual women who did have some power in their society, but such women were rare.

1893: The status of women is in flux. Some embrace the concept of the perfect submissive woman, while others embrace the idea of the "new woman," educated and more free than her predecessors.

Today: Women have achieved many opportunities unimaginable by previous generations. Much discrimination against women, previously considered acceptable, has ended through custom or law, though women still face difficulties in many areas.

30 A.D.: The Romans allow communities within their empire a modicum of religious freedom, unless said religions threaten the peace of the empire. Numerous religions are represented in Roman society.

1893: Christianity predominates in Victorian culture, and adherents of other religions are often treated...