The Role of Women in Athenian and Spartan Societies

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Table of Contents

Marriage and Marital Obligations
Education
Land Ownership and Economic Status
References

Ancient Greece consisted of many small city-states, amongst which Athens and Sparta were the most prominent. Although these states had significant influence over ancient Greece civilization, they exhibited distinct social and political characteristics. The growth of Athens and Sparta led to the development of new ideas and suggestions about improving individuals’ living standards in society. Bruce (2019) explains that women in Athens and Sparta endured issues because they had minimal rights compared to men who lived independently. This resulted in inequality, condemnation, and demoralization of women because some societies believed that they were eviler than an enemy, weak, useless, and confused, therefore unable to conduct crucial activities (Bruce, 2019). However, despite the loathsome and biased perspectives, Athenian and Spartan females played vital roles in these two states’ history, though the exact ways in which they contributed varied based on existing social and political rules (Glassman, 2017). This can be seen by looking at family responsibilities, citizenship, education, and Athenian and Sparta women’s property ownership.

Marriage and Marital Obligations

Females from the two societies were second in command from the males, and men made decisions in all situations. Fantham et al. (1994) explains that young women were expected to abstain from sexual intercourse until marriage, arranged by their fathers and male relatives. Uncles and other men would assume the responsibility of taking care of females if the fathers had died or were absent. Aristotle writes, “if he dies without having made directions as to this by will, whoever he leaves as his executor bestows her upon whom he chooses” (“Aristotle, politics,” n.d., p. 2). Society disregarded single mature women and denied them provision and crucial roles in the city-state. Fantham et al. (1994) explain that after marriage, adult females’ roles included bearing children and carrying out daily household chores such as cooking and washing clothes. Xenophon Oik (n.d.) writes, “To the woman, since God has made her body less capable of such endurance, I take it that he has assigned the indoor task” (7.23). However, the financially stable husbands employed slaves to help their wives in the house. Athenian wives were expected to remain faithful to their husbands, but the contrary happened to their men (Fantham et al., 1994). Males freely engaged with courtesans, live-in lovers, and prostitutes and bore children. Xenophon Oik, (n.d.) asserts that “in case a man did not want to cohabit with his wife and nevertheless desired children he made it lawful for him to choose a woman who was the mother of a fine family and of high birth” (p. 8). Simultaneously, women who failed to preserve the family’s honor, such as committing adultery, would be banished from attending religious ceremonies. If a man realized that their wife had sexual relations with another person, they could kill the lover and would not be prosecuted (Seitkasimova, 2020). Athenian females could not move from one place to another or have sexual relations outside marriage because it was considered unethical and disrespectful; therefore, they would be punished (Xenophon Oik, n.d.). On the contrary, Pomeroy et al. (2002) explain that Spartan women would go anywhere and would have multiple partners even though they were married. This was allowed because it increased Spartan warriors’ population and fulfilled the females’ honor of giving birth. Additionally, it helped them to interact with people from different cultures and areas, resulting improved trade activities (Pomeroy et al., 2002). However, these women were denied the freedom of wearing jewelry or apply makeup. Athenian women worked without rest and were confined to their quarters when there was no labor outside the house (Fantham et al., 1994). Moreover, they would vacate their houses if a man occupied the home. These females lived a secluded life and competed for their husbands’ attention because they openly engaged with prostitutes and both gender slaves, including those in relationships. Athenian females were shifted from one man’s authority to another but were powerless to resist. On the other hand, Pomeroy (2002) explains that Spartan girls wore revealing clothes, jewelry as they went out to get involved with different boys. Therefore, the marital obligations and family responsibilities of Athenian women exceeded those of Spartan females.

Education

Athens was renowned as an intellectual center, and residents concentrated on academic pursuits such as philosophy, music, and art. Seitkasimova (2020) explains that Spartan was a military-strength area, and its residents believed in the power of protecting their space. Athenian females stayed at home and were restricted from going to the training grounds. Spartan’s young women went to schools and learned how to read and write (Pomeroy, 2002). This is because their education system emphasized the importance of schooling. “As soon as they can understand what is said to them, and send them to a school to learn letters, music and the exercises of the wrestling-ground” (Xenophon Const, n. d., p. 2). This enlightenment helped Spartan females realize the essentiality of preventing harm in their city; therefore, they engaged in sports, gyms, wrestling, and military training (Glassman, 2017). However, Athenian females did not attend education facilities, although some selected women would be taught inside the houses. The education given to ancient Greek women played a crucial role in developing both states. Seitkasimova (2020) explains that these females learned about good communication skills, taking quality care of their family, trading activities, and playing their community roles. Athens highly prized democracy and denied women many things because they believed that freedom could encourage them to practice adultery (Glassman, 2017). Therefore, husbands treated their wives as slaves, although the laborers had more rights than these females. For example, Athenian women worked without rest and were confined to their quarters when there was no labor outside the house, which helped them become active when performing various weaving activities (Fantham et al., 1994). These females lived a secluded life and competed for their husbands’ attention because they openly engaged with prostitutes and both gender slaves, including those in relationships. However, the women took advantage of their seclusion to learn new techniques of making different textiles. They could sell materials to other individuals and use the money to improve their living conditions. These trading activities enhanced the relationship of individuals across different areas and cultures. Additionally, Pomeroy (2002) explains that Spartan women joined education facilities and understood the essentiality of taking care of the home in their husbands’ absence. For example, Spartan men’s wives took charge of the family and businesses when they were away in battle. The soldiers would be away from home for long periods, similar to those who fought during the civil wars leaving the adult women in control. These females were involved in various activities such as putting up businesses and buying a property (Pomeroy, 2002). As a result, Sparta’s state’s economic status improved because of the establishment of big factories and industries.

Land Ownership and Economic Status

Athenian ladies did not inherit property from their husbands or guardians. For example, when a father who had a son and a daughter died, the male would assume the inheritance. Additionally, if the female was an only child, and their guardian passes on, her husband or a close male relative took control of the property (Fantham et al., 1994). Moreover, a male relative took control of the property of a deceased man and married their wife. However, this was not the norm in Spartan society because adult females became heirs of their husbands’ or fathers’ belongings to embrace civilization (Glassman, 2017). The females were also allowed to choose and marry any man in society after their husband’s death, own property, and engage in trade. Aristotle writes, “nearly two-fifths of the whole area of the country is owned by women, because of the number of women who inherit estates and the practice of giving large dowries” (“Aristotle, politics,” n.d., p. 1). However, Athenian women were restricted from engaging in trade and possessing money that exceeded what the family needed to feed for five or six days (Seitkasimova, 2020). In addition, an adult woman who owned a slave was denied the right to sell them away or farm the land without authority from men. By contrast, Spartan females could also inherit land and wealth and married, or a male authority figure did not control widowed women (Xenophon Oik, n.d.). Athenian women were denied the right to speak in public places or get involved with political activities. On the other hand, Spartan females were outspoken and became leaders at one point. For example, these women belittled unmarried men above 35 years and were considered cowards in society. However, Athenian females became citizens despite the lack of freedom and democracy.

In conclusion, although women were denied certain rights in ancient Greece, the restrictions varied from one state to another. However, these women took advantage of society’s status to improve their living statutes and the family. For example, Athenian females’ marital obligations were to take care of the family and give birth to strong children. The women stayed in the houses and learned various textile-making techniques, which they sold and improved their livelihood. On the other hand, Spartan females enjoyed the freedom of going outside their homes and attending military training places to become physically fit. Ancient Greek women also played a crucial role in their states’ security because they encouraged young boys to join the military and protect the community. The education given to Athenian and Spartan women helped them to achieve different goals in life. For example, Spartan females understood the value of money and the essentiality of owning property, which allowed the cities to grow. In contrast, educated Athenian women understood the essentiality of trade, and they sold textile materials to other people, although there were limitations about the money they got. Moreover, Athenian women were restricted from inheriting property from their fathers or husbands. On the other hand, Spartan women would take their deceased father’s and husband’s possessions and own property in the state. Therefore, despite the community’s perception of ancient Greek women, they became productive and significantly contributed to Sparta’s and Athens’ civilizations.

References

Aristotle, politics. (n.d.).

Bruce, S. G. (2019). The dark age of Herodotus: Shards of a fugitive history in early Medieval Europe. Speculum, 94(1), 47−67.

Fantham, E., Foley, H. P., Kampen, N. B., Pomeroy, S. B., & Shapiro, H. A. (1994). Women in the classical world: Image and text. Oxford University Press. Web.

Glassman, R. M. (2017). The origins of democracy in tribes, city-states, and nation-states. Springer.

Pomeroy, S. B. (2002). Spartan women. Oxford University Press.

Seitkasimova, Z. A. (2020). Status of women in Ancient Greece. Open Journal for Anthropological Studies, 3(2), 49−54.

Xenophon. (n.d. a). Constitution of the Lacedaemonians.

Xenophon. (n.d. b). Oikonomikos.

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The Role of Women in Athenian and Spartan Societies

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