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The life of a Spartan Women

 

            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.


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