Abstract

ROSSI, Annunziata. J. J. Bachofen and the mother’s return. Acta poét [online]. 2009, vol.30, n.1, pp.273-293. ISSN 2448-735X.

This article addresses different topics covered on Das Mutterrecht by J. Jakob Bachofen about the gynaecocratic system that supposedly ruled on early prehistoric societies: its historic development and its decline before the ascension of patriarchy as the main social controller system, as seen today. Similarly, this paper approaches the transition between both social systems and their alternation, through the distinction between matriarchy and patriarchy, as drawn by Bachofen.

Keywords : matriarchy; Bachofen; gynaecocratic culture.