Living in ancient Greece, as a woman, life would be very restrictive. Out of the Sparta, Athens, and Corinth, life as a female would be best lived in Sparta. It would be the most appealing because they had the most rights, and weren't very limited on things they could do. Within this essay I will examine how living in Sparta would be most beneficial by looking at education, property, and rights.
Spartan women were only thought of as having one main purpose, which was becoming a mother to a strong healthy son. Some women were able to be educated, but all were educated in physical training and fitness. Spartan women, as all other women in ancient Greece, were taught weaving, cooking, and making clothes, this along with other household duties. The women were taught running, wrestling and javelin throwing. The physical aspect of life was so important that the women had there own Olympic Games called the Games of Hera. Even after marriage these women were expected to stay fit, in order to breed healthy strong babies.
Women in Sparta were able to keep and own property. Women were actually responsible for 1/3 of the land owned in Sparta. They were able to use this land any way the wished. When a father left land to children, it would be left to both male and female children. Despite this women were still expected to have a dowry in order to get married. Marriages were arranged even in Sparta. The difference being, that they married much later in life, compared to the other city-states, at the age of 18. This was thought again to lead to stronger healthier babies, being that as a mother you would be physically and emotionally stronger to deal with it. Marriage was not a sacred thing and considerd much more a necessity for procreation.
Women did not actually have a vote in the assembly. This being true, they seemed to have a lot of influence behind the scenes. Women's tunics were made so that there bodies would have more freedom and movement.
Spartan Polis There are five classes in the Spartan social class; the middle three classes are also part of the social economy. ... Spartan women were taught to read and write. ... Spartan women were trained and drilled in military and gymnastic exercises. If women passed their athletic exams by 18, they were assigned to a husband who was in his mid-30s. ... Women didn't participate in the political life of Sparta. ...
In the book Spartan Women by Sarah B. ... There are two major themes; these themes include the quality of education for women in many walks throughout her life, as well as the social aspects of gender roles. ... Out of all the Greek tribes of ancient Greece, the life of the Spartans are of the lest documented and therefore the most unknown to us. ... This according to Pomeroy among many things allowed the Spartan women to become the head of the house. ... Spartan Women gives the reader a closer look at what life was like for some of the most socially liberated women of their time. ...
Spartan women were much different in their positions in their society. ... Therefore in both Athens and Sparta, the biological capabilities to procreate life is a major strength to these women and their positions in their individual societies. ... It has been popularly quoted that the wife of Spartan King Leonidas was asked why Spartan women were the only women in Greece who "ruled" their husbands. ... These Spartan women were revered as the Alpha women of the ancient Greek world. ... While Spartan women also maintained their strength in their ability to procreate life they also had...
This essay will consider Lycurgus & his contribution & impact on Spartan society. ... Whereas, Plutarch says that Lycurgus was a Spartan king. ... From analysing a combination of sources, Lycurgus supposedly established a set of laws known as the Great Rhetra, redistributed land to citizens equally, organised the army, set up common messes for all citizens, omitted coinage from society, laid down rules for every stage of development in life (known as the agoge), gave attention to the role of women, & introduced austerity to the Spartans. ... Also, the Spartans were prone to heroize dead Sparta...
The main focus of a Spartan education was not to focus on literacy. ... The education was implemented by the State on the belief that it was every citizen's duty to provide for the continuity of its way of life. ... Plato believed that, "the life of man in every part has need of harmony and rhythm" (Protagoras 326.B). ... At the age of eleven, the next level of a Spartan education began. The main portion of this time period in a boy's life was highlighted by harsh living conditions in which he strengthened himself for battle. ...
Being a soldier was their life. ... The life of a female was much different from that of her counterpart husband. Duiker describes it "While the husbands remained in the military barracks until the age of thirty, Spartan women lived at home. Because of this separation, Spartan women had greater freedom of movement and greater power in the household than was common for women elsewhere in Greece (page 102)." ... The Spartan women were subjected to grueling physical activity in hope that they would produce a better male. ...
We will look at Sparta and Athens, two of the Greek poleis that stood out for their vividly contrasting styles of life and their roles in Greek history. ... Spartan women spent their time outside and spoke freely to men much like our society. ... Spartan women were given public education including singing, dancing and athletics. ... Spartan women were also unique in being able to own land and manage their own property as well as the women in today's society. ... The Spartans sound much like women in today's society and the Athenians are the complete opposite but still today wo...
There were differences in the family life of people and paradigm of Athenians and Spartans. ... Family Life was almost nonexistent. ... Family life would breed diversity and the Spartans believed in unity to be more important than families. ... In conclusion, Spartans had no family life, boys were kept together to create unity, and women had more power, respect, and equality than Athenian women. ... There were differences in the family life of people and paradigm of Athenians and Spartans. ...
Compared to Athens, Sparta was a harsh place in both daily life and education2. ... In spite of this fact, Spartan women who had failed their test still had quite a bit of freedom for Greek women because their husbands were usually not at home2. At age six or seven, Spartan boys were sent to military schoo2l. ... After becoming a full citizen and soldier, men continued their life of drills and barracks2. ... Generally, women received less schooling than men4. ...