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"A woman's sphere is in the private realm of the house, supervising the slaves, caring for the children, cooking and weaving cloth. (Weaving cloth is a perpetual occupation for all classes of Athenian woman. The Archon's wife does it while her husband presides over the jury court, and prostitutes do it during slack times at the brothel. Girls learn to weave and spin wool at an early age--in fact, the sacred robe of Athena is made by citizen girls, and the goddess is given a new one every year.) Women can't vote or even attend the assembly, and in legal disputes they are represented by fathers or guardians. It is a disgrace for a woman to have to appear in court for any reason at all.

Later Athenians will feel a mixture of shock and bemusement on the occasion when the (in)famous hetaera Phryne is charged with impiety. As a courtesan, Phryne has many lovers, including Hypereides, her defender and advocate. She herself only appears in court when it is clear that words alone are not going to sway the jury. Hypereides strips off her tunic and bares her breasts, arguing that one could hardly condemn for impiety on who was so evidently 'Aphrodite's representative.' The jury are overwhelmed by 'religious awe' and vote for her acquittal."

(from "Ancient Athens on 5 drachmas a day" by Philip Matyszak--thank you again to browngirl for the recommendation!)