Ancient Greek City-States

Though these city-states seem so different, they did have something in common; women, no matter what age or class, were given little freedom. .
             Athenian women were first owned by their fathers, until they were passed on to their husbands. They had simple responsibilities such as cooking and cleaning. In Sparta, however, the women had a big responsibility; to make more strong Spartan warriors. Spartan women had more freedom than Athenian women because Spartans saw birth as a great contribution to the city-state (because they wanted more Spartans in their army). In fact, if a Spartan man was not married by the age of 35, he would be taxed because Spartans believed that if you weren't married, you couldn't make more Spartans. Women could participate in sports, own/oversee property, and become educated in reading and writing. Athenian women were kept at home with no participation in sports of politics (they's practice domestic arts and participate in religious life). .
             Not only did Sparta and Athens differ on values, government, and the role of women, but they also differed on their social structure. In Athens, the lowest class was slaves (Sparta had something similar called Helots, who were treated like slaves). Slaves had no rights (neither did women) and could be killed whenever his/her owner desired, but they varied in status. Next came the Metics, or those who came from outside the city. Metics were not allowed to own land, but could run industries/ businesses. Also in the middle class were small farmers. At the top of the social structure was the aristocrats. Aristocrats had large estates and made up the cavalry/captained triremes. In Sparta, however, they had 3 social classes; Spartiates, Perioeci, and Helots. Helots, as mentioned above, were the equivalent to Athenian slaves, though they descended from peoples who had resisted subjugation and were constantly rebelling. Perioeci (neighbors/ outsiders), were usually foreigners including artisans, craftsmen, and merchants.