Compare And Contrast Spartan And Greek Women

Around the 400s C.E. Greece was broken up into city-states that were in constant war with one another. Greece was and still remains a patriarchal society. Although today women have equal rights in Greece, they did not in the 400s C.E. Typically, women were confined to their homes, and their marriages were arranged. The women in the society had little to no political influence, and had very few rights. This excludes the women of Sparta, who experienced quite the opposite of the other Greek women. These women had more power and freedom over their households because of their militaristic society while the men were serving in the military. In Greece only men were able to be citizens, and the upper class men were the only ones who received educations. This also excluded Sparta because the

free women were allowed education, ownership of property and freedom beyond the home.

Some of the Greek city-states differed socially, politically, and economically.

Two very known city-states of Greece where Sparta and Athens. Although the two differed greatly they both were the most powerful of these city-states. Sparta is known for its militaristic society while Athens is known for its intellectual and political attainments. In Sparta their military was highly valued. At the a very young age boys were taken from their homes and trained extensively to be soldiers. This process was called child-rearing. These boys would grow up in poor and abusive conditions that would prepare them to become soldiers, who would serve in the military until they were 60 years of age if capable. The male gender was highly valued in Sparta to the point where women were praised for staying in shape to bear healthy sons, who could eventually serve in the military. The mothers raised their children on the state religion and to be soldiers. The state

religion was developed around the supreme priests of the society also known as the king, who ruled the state. In contrast, Athens was not a militaristic society, but was recognized for their achievements. The political structure of Athens experienced an early monarchy and then transitioned into a aristocracy. Trade increased in Athens, which created a merchant class in the society. This also brought about the merchant’s influence in the government. Their political structure then transitioned into a direct democracy, where all male citizens over the age of twenty could participate in voting. Athens is also recognized for their intellectual attainments like the development of the epic poems called the Odyssey and the Iliad. Athens was well known for their culture and architecture. Under Greek rule, the Parthenon was constructed. Although both societies were very distinctive from one another, each had a peasant class at the bottom of their social pyramid.

The geography of Greece greatly influenced their economy. Trade flourished and seafaring became important to the economy. Ancient Greece holds a great significance for modern days. Just like from the earliest civilization, Greece has influenced the modern times based on political structures, literature and architecture. Without Athens the world would not have the Olympic games, in which men would compete as a way to honor the gods. Ancient Greece has played a major part in the development of the world. Therefore, the world would not be where it is today if it was not for the influence Greece played globally.