The political and social organization of most classical societies revolved around the idea of ​​patriarchy, a male-dominated social system. This system exacerbated the inherited difference between men and women and assigned gender roles based on these observations. Men were generally considered superior to women, therefore they were given greater religious and political roles, as well as greater legal rights. Like the natural inverse, women were subordinated and seen as weak; their primary reproductive and domestic roles. Information about patriarchy in classical times, while plentiful, was, for the most part, written by men, so the story does not give us an accurate representation of women's views. Four societies of the classical era, India, China, Greece, and Rome, adopted a patriarchal system, however, due to many factors, each developed identifiable characteristics. Because they had no traditional role in government, women had to work their way up the system to gain any kind of political leverage. Empress Lu violated every cultural and social norm by maintaining power as regent under the reins of her son, grandson, and adopted grandson. Traditionally the regents ruled from behind the scenes while the emperor himself was unable to make decisions, usually due to age or health complications, however Empress Lu eliminated all competitors for the launch. As the end of her reign approached, she expected her grandchildren to succeed her. Even as the first empress, no stranger to breaking tradition, she left the emperorship to the next male in his bloodline (Doc. 5) not a female. Although Empress Lu defied all women's expectations, her power as Empress was still undisputed thanks to the Mandate of Heaven, an idea originating in the Shang Dynasty....... middle of paper ......c. 4). This is an example of one of the seven unequal relationships in Confucianism. Much of the social structure of classical China was based on Confucian ideals (Doc. 3). In Greece the relationship between husband and wife is also very unequal due to their young age and lack of education. On her own, a woman had no political rights and limited legal powers, so it was necessary for a husband to provide for his wife just as a father would (Doc. 6). A woman would learn household management and eventually produce heirs. These two similar systems of social roles were not a benevolent system. It did not take into account the well-being of individuals, especially women who had little power to walk away in a bad marital situation. However, by ensuring that people knew their place, which kept them in line, classical societies were more prosperous and able to function more smoothly..