Women in Sparta
In Sparta, women were treated differently. They had different rights than the women of Athens, but also different responsibilities. Since their young boys were sent to the barracks at age seven, this changed how Spartan women could live.
Womens Rights
Spartan women enjoyed more rights than any other city - state in Greece. They were left in charge of Sparta's estates with the men in the army. Spartan women were in charge of the families wealth, and played a large role in the families' financial decisions. They could also own property, and women owned at least 1/3 of Sparta's land.
Spartan Life
Spartan women were known for their athleticism. They were encouraged to participate in games, side by side with men. They were also educated just as strictly. Women were expected to be strong in order to produce healthy children. They were also expected to protect their husband's estates in times of war. the goddess Artemis (left), was considered a patron of Spartan women, for skills as a warrior.
Marriage and Family
Marriage ceremonies in Sparta consisted of a series of rituals. The woman was abducted by her suitor, had her head shaved, made to wear men's clothing. They wouldn't see their husbands often, as men were forced to serves as soldiers.
When the woman had boys, they were hers to take care of only until they were 7. After that, society took over, and her boy was sent to barracks. Girls still went to public school, and were trained atheletes.
Spartan women wore clothes that would've been considered scandalous by other cities states. Spartan clothing consisted of short skirts for women, to allow freedom of movement. As children, girls wore nothing along with their brothers. Athens especially disapproved of Sparta's treatement of women, including Plutarch, Aristotle, and others.
