ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that female physical disability had little to do with somatic configuration. A woman's most important function was to produce sons, and the female who failed the task of serving as incubator was the one who lacked ability. The chapter shows that the criteria for intellectual impairment had specific ancient meaning and status that has little to do with modern definitions. The intellectual subordination of women in the ancient world was deeply ingrained in the socio-economic system. The ancient focus of the story is Epimetheus's mistake of allowing a woman to harm the whole human race eternally; Pandora was the mere vehicle, crafted by clever gods, whose terrible female potential was unleashed. The idea of courageous subordination is not unique to ancient Greece. Comparing ancient and modern attitudes about taking a person with an intellectual disability as a spouse provides a small but interesting window through which to view change over time.
