In Byzantium, women held both privileged and restricted roles within society. While they were able to inherit property and hold positions of power, particularly as empresses and royal concubines, they were ultimately subject to the authority of their male relatives and husbands. Women were expected to fulfill traditional roles as wives and mothers, with their primary responsibility being the management of the household and raising children. Despite these limitations, some women were able to exercise influence and power through their connections to influential men or through their own intelligence and charisma. Overall, life for women in Byzantium was a complex mix of privilege and restriction, with societal expectations playing a significant role in shaping their experiences.