Matronage
Volume Matronage. Strategies of action and social networks of ancient rulers' wives
The woman at the ruler's side has increasingly become the focus of attention in ancient studies, which means that gender relations in the realm of power must also be reassessed. The Osnabrück conference set itself the goal of examining the female component in the power structure, particularly with regard to the resources available to women rulers and their scope for action. Material wealth, family prestige and proximity to the ruler proved to be important structural elements from the Ancient Near East to the early European Middle Ages. Individual contributions analyze exemplary strategies and networks: Charity, career advancement and support come to light here in a wide variety of forms and for different recipients. The term matronage, as opposed to patronage, emphasizes the conceptual distinction between female and male fields of action and strategies, but also indicates that the rulers' wives drew on familiar patronal role models.