When Would You Have Liked to Live?

Speaking as a woman, I feel I struck the lottery, being born into a liberal democracy where my human rights are protected both by law and by custom.

But I’ve sometimes thought, if I had to be born somewhere and sometime else, where and when would it be?

This is, of course, assuming I’m willing to forego reliable sources of nutritious food and the miracles of modern medicine (especially around childbirth and infant mortality).

Top of my list are the Minoans (3000-1150 BCE), the first European civilization on the Greek island of Crete. Unlike other ancient civilizations, women lived freely and participated equally in all realms of life. In fact, women ruled the land and were the religious leaders, while the men were fearless seafarers. If this civilization had not been repeatedly destroyed by volcanic eruption, our world would be a very different place. Dare I say, a much better place.

Next on my list would be the Viking period in Scandinavia. Those women enjoyed more equality and freedom than almost all women of their time. Most scholars don’t support the idea that there were female warriors — shieldmaidens — but that’s okay. It’s not my ambition, to be honest. However, women did share equal rights in many aspects of society. They could own land, initiate divorce proceedings, serve as clergy, and run a business. They ate well and dressed in bright colours, and I would like that.

When would you have liked to live?

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Bones and Keeps: https://www.amazon.com/Bones-Keeps-Dena.../dp/1773170147