In the ancient world, the status of women varied across cultures, regions, and time periods. Any discussion of the topic of gender in antiquity must address several complicating factors. First, the term ancient encompasses a vast period stretching from the rise of Sumerian civilization (4500 to 4000 BCE) to the collapse of the Roman Empire in 476 CE. In addition, this term conceals both the geographic breadth and the diversity of the civilizations that rose, flourished, and inevitably decayed or collapsed during this time. The so-called ancient world, as it is commonly understood, encompasses the early civilizations of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. While these civilizations interacted with one another, they differed considerably in their outlooks and material cultures. Finally, our understanding of the status of women in antiquity is necessarily limited: nearly all source materials from the period explore gender dynamics from the perspective of social elites. Historians have precious few glimpses of everyday women’s lives.