Salon.com books | False goddess
“Hadn’t she heard the same figure tossed off by Gloria Steinem in her 1972 book “Wonder Woman”? “Once upon a time,” wrote Steinem, “the many cultures of this world were all part of the gynocratic age. Paternity had not yet been discovered.” How many feminists, Eller set to wondering, actually believe that long ago the world was ruled by a benevolent, peace-loving matriarchy? Quite a few, she eventually concluded. In certain circles, she claims, the notion of an ancient matriarchy is a booming business. This although there’s no evidence to support the theory that women once ruled the world, or any human society. “