Middle East Patriarchy Analysis

The post classical period of 600 CE to 1450 CE was characterized by the spread of the world’s three universal religions, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam, which was a result of trading contacts, missionary activity, and military conquest. These characteristics impacted many regions, but one specifically being the Middle East. During this period, the Middle East experienced a change including the separation of Muslims into two branches while still continuing to follow patriarchy throughout both branches. A continuity that existed before and continued through the time period of 632 CE to 1258 CE is patriarchy and the power it gives men to dominate over women. Men had a higher status than women who were at the same ranking as slaves. In fact, a lot of slaves being brought in were women, young and old, as well as young boys. In the Middle East, men were above women because it was thought to be more appropriate that the head of the household was a man. Around the Neolithic period, women in Mesopotamia first had their statuses and potential downgraded when men no longer were hunter and gatherers. They converted to the domestication of agriculture for means of a more supplied and controlled food source and overall survival. This affected women because men began working around home and pushed the women out of the way, reaping them from their jobs. Women in the Middle East could not have several husbands like a man could have several wives because when it came to having children, the women’s husbands would not know which son was his to pass his legacy down. Men had many women because two brothers from the same mother were to fight for the higher …show more content…
As for patriarchy, it still continued to be pursued and practiced in the Middle East because even to this day, patriarchy is still