Clemens Alexandrinus, Paedagogus 3.10.49: appropriate forms of female exercise

Clemens Alexandrinus, Paedagogus 3.10.49: appropriate forms of female exercise

2nd/3rd century CE

Theology

Literary source

Nor are women to be deprived of bodily exercise. But they are not to be encouraged to engage in wrestling or running, but are to exercise themselves in spinning, and weaving, and superintending the cooking if necessary.

William Johnson, The Writings of Clement of Alexandria, vol. 1 (Ante-Nicene Christian Library: Translations of the Writings of the Fathers Down to A.D. 325, vol. 4), Edinburgh 1885.

Οὐδὲ ἐνταῦθα ὑπεξαιρετέον τῆς κατὰ τὸ σῶμα διαπονήσεως τὰς γυναῖκας, ἀλλ' οὐκ ἐπὶ πάλην καὶ δρόμους παρακλητέον αὐτάς, ταλασιουργίᾳ δὲ γυμναστέον καὶ ἱστουργίᾳ καὶ τῷ παραστῆναι τῇ πεττούσῃ, εἰ δέοι.

Otto Stählin (ed.), Clemens Alexandrinus, Protrepticus und Paedagogus (Die grieschischen Schriftsteller der ersten drei Jahrhunderte), vol. 1, Leipzig 1905.