Women and Discrimination in History

It is common knowledge that most societies throughout history have been sexist to one extent
or another and that civilizations were patriarchal. Women have been restricted on sexuality and
legal and economic grounds throughout the world. All of this of course depends on what culture
and time period being discussed, but sadly, sexism, in general, seems to be a red thread
throughout all of written human history. Many people today would argue that women now are
treated much better, enjoy many legal and economic rights, and thus the situation for women
has greatly improved since ancient times. But is this view correct?
Compare women in ancient times to women today. In other words, were women in the
past discriminated against, treated unequally, or not, and is there less sexism and
discrimination against women now or is modern sexism just different in its form (i.e.
lower wages, few high-level corporate and government positions, control of sexuality,
etc.)? Consider areas such as the law, education, politics, sexuality, gender roles, etc.
(The essay must have at least two main points.)
To do this, first analyze women historically (from the beginnings of civilization in chapter 1
(Mesopotamia, Egypt, Harappa, etc.) through the Mongols (chapter 14); in other words, the time
period of this course). Then, compare that analysis to women now. How do women in ancient
times compare to women today (in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries)?