The Role of Women in Spartan Politics

Introduction

The position of women in most of the Greek world, and especially in Athens, was similar to the situation of women under the Taliban today. Wives were bought solely for the purpose of producing legitimate heirs, and sexual pleasure was sought from the boys, slaves and prostitutes (who were also not free) in a clearly one-sided relationship in which a free, adult male and humiliate the object of his sexual attention. Wives and daughters of citizens, were excluded from all public and intellectual activity, were stored inside behind closed doors, and were not allowed to exercise or eat, as well as their brothers and husbands. Women cannot inherit or own property, and it was not considered wise to educate them.

The ancient Spartans had not submitted a written report about their own history, so modern scholars have information in relation to this society has come for some of the other Greek historians like Plutarch, Xenophon, and Aristotle. Insofar as these ancient scholars were more familiar with the traditional roles and lifestyles of women in ancient Athens, and their views on a reliable and active lifestyle of Spartan women, it seems, in some respects, to be less favorable. Description of the Spartan women in terms of their "otherness" does not seem too different from the account given by ancient historians in relation to non-traditional way of life Amazons.

At first glance it may seem that some similarities between Spartan women and Amazons, however, their roles within their respective societies were in fact very different, and they do not seem to be the final proof that the ancient historians considered them in the same context. Subsequent sections provide basic information about lifestyles and the role of women in society militaristic ancient Sparta, and, moreover, points to differences between the Amazons and Spartan women.

History

Sparta's laws were developed and written by Lycurgus, a legendary lawmaker, who in the 7th century BC reorganized the political and social structure of the policy, turning it into a strictly disciplined and collective society. He also developed a strong military academies agoge, where Spartan boys were trained from childhood to adulthood. Legal reforms of Lycurgus also include certain rights and benefits for the Spartan women. Although these rules, it seems that the Spartan women were freer than the average Greek women, they were actually implemented in order to ensure that the Spartan society progressed as a disciplined, powerful, and threatening. Spartan women were seen as the means by which Sparta always good.

We know that Spartan women were known for their natural beauty, and that they were forbidden to wear any makeup or accessories. Spartan women were given public education. It was very radical and other Greek girls were not formally educated. They could not, however, use their education to have a career or earn money. Their income is likely to come from the land holdings that either they or their families were provided through a program of public land distribution. Land ownership for women in the ...