Lysistrata and the feminist movementIn ancient Greece, women's society was confined to a patriarchal society. Women could not participate in politics or access education. Women were tied to their homes and responsible for their slaves and the education of their children. Men were entitled to whatever they wanted, including women. Decisions regarding all matters of the polis were made by men, and men were responsible for protecting the polis. Lysistrata is a play on an early feminist movement as it empowered women, created future movements, and left its own legacy. In the play, Greek women united to determine the affairs of the ensuing Peloponnesian War. Tired of seeing their men leave for years to fight for their country, the women united and chose to handle things themselves. The first part of the plan was to gain control of the Acropolis, thereby allowing women to control the finances of the polis. The second part of the plan was to forbid sex from their men until a treaty could be reached. This project was not an easy task due to limitations on women's rights and civil liberties. By refusing sex and taking control of the Acropolis from men, they were able to change the outcome of the war and decide the affairs of the polis. Groves 2Lysistrata united the women of Greece by bringing them together to tackle war. The war caused great strife among the women, with their men being called away for years. She develops an exceptional plan to end the war. By bringing women together, they could empower each other to achieve a common goal: ending the war and bringing their men home. It was rare for women in Greece to commune together. At the time, it was the best...... middle of paper......B. “Lysistrata” Trans. Donald Sutherland. The Wadsworth Drama Anthology. “Women's History in America presented by the Women's International Center.” International Women's Center. ndInternational Women’s Center. March 5, 2010. “Kenyan women hit men with sex ban.” BBC News. 05/03/10 .SatiriqueAlexandrie, “Satiric Alexandria”. Blog. 05/03/10 .Blume, Kathryn and Bower, Sharon, "Project Lysistrata". Yes Magazine. 05/03/10 .Meyer, Katie. "Colombian women protest gang wars: Lysistrata comes to life". The quadrilateral. 03/05/10 .