In the times of the ancient Greeks, specifically during the periods Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic, the men and women of Greece were in a period of transition. Greece was home to some of the first great minds in recorded history. Some overthrew governments and others stimulated intellect among the masses. All of these minds together were instrumental in not only shaping their world but served as a blueprint for new rising powers. In the book Spartan Women by Sarah B. Pomeroy the lives of women in a place of great military and social importance are depicted. The way in which women are valued in Sparta makes this book enthralling and the lives of these women much more unique then the rest of women of their time. 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. These themes are expressed and explained for women of all socioeconomic status. .
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. However, it is very evident that women were encouraged to develop their intellect. Girls from the start of their lives were given a good education in both the arts and athletics. Pomeroy writes "Only at Sparta did the state prescribe an educational program for both boys and girls beginning in childhood."(Pomeroy, 3) also that "There is more evidence, both textual and archaeological, for athletic activity then for any other aspect of Spartan women's lives." (Pomeroy, 12) .
Gender, another large issue in which Pomeroy concentrates, is focused on the husband's and the wife's role in the community. Pomeroy states that there was less difference in age between husbands and wives. Girls in Sparta married at a much later age than their sisters in Athens, "they had as many years as most girls do in modern western societies to devote to their education.
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. ...
Essay: Explain the main features of the Spartan economy. ... The profusion of natural resources Spartan land offered allowed Spartans to have self-reliance within the state and meant that the Spartans needed to import very few necessities from outside the economy. ... Also, Xenophon explains how at the beginning of the sixth century, women started to gain ownership of land and were able to control their inherited land without alarm from the Spartiates as they were often away on military expeditions. This led to a significant percentage of land in the hands of Spartan women and causes ot...
The only women he treats as autonomous, self-directed historical characters are Spartan women. Herodotus is more deferential in his descriptions of Spartan women, giving the reader a sense of their importance to the Spartan community. ... One of the most notable of Spartan women was Gorgo. ... Non-Spartan women in The Histories seldom come across important matters such as this. ... The exceptions are mostly Spartan women, like Gorgo. ...
Spartan women were much different in their positions in their society. ... In contrast, Spartan women held roles of agricultural and political powers. ... 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. Gorgo replied, "Because only Spartan women give birth to men". ... These Spartan women were revered as the Alpha women of the ancient Greek world. ...
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. ... After many years, the Helots grew to outnumber the Spartans by a ratio as a large as ten to one. ... When comparing the hardships the young Athenians went through to that of the Spartans, they are almost nonexistent. While the Spartans were denied food and comfort, the young Athenians still lived at home and went to school. ... At the age of eleven, the next level of a Spartan education began. ...
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 Greeks took the education of their women very seriously. ... The Spartan women were subjected to grueling physical activity in hope that they would produce a better male. ... Men went through rigorous military training, while women enjoyed more freedoms. ...
Spartan women were only thought of as having one main purpose, which was becoming a mother to a strong healthy son. ... Spartan women, as all other women in ancient Greece, were taught weaving, cooking, and making clothes, this along with other household duties. ... Spartan women's lives were still far removed from that of the men in their societies. ... Spartan women were not dominated in relationships or their positions in life. ... Spartan women were what provided the state, which had all the control, with strong baby boys that would one day be able to defend its state against the helo...
