Compare Living In Athens And Sparta

Sparta and Athens were quite diverse in their way of life and values. This diversity ranged from how they ruled their states, including how they treated their women in their poleis. The women had different classes that are, the free, the unequal and the helots. I share my thoughts from a perspective of a woman and which I would choose over the other.

If I lived in ancient Greece at the time of Athens and Sparta I would most probably choose to live in Sparta and this is not because it was seen to be a freer society for women but rather because, in addition to the freedoms that women in Sparta generally experienced, they were given an education in music and arts, military training and athletics such as javelin and discus etc. I also lean towards Sparta because the poleis had high security from enemies hence, for the most part, the city was protected by the warrior soldiers. Spartan women were assured of protection at a time when Spartan lifestyle was filled with fighting and more fighting with neighboring poleis, unpredictable revolts from the helots and just general rivalries. Much like today, women and children would probably prefer security and protection from enemy attacks than learn home crafts amidst security threats.
I also find that the Spartan women were treated better, being given enough empowerment to own properties, run their households without …show more content…
For me, they pioneered that and prepared the ground for equality in this regard much like it is today in most countries in the world. Boys and girls were given the same training even though their placing would differ at the end when the women would go into childbearing whilst the men would venture into full-time military service for most of their lives. Today both boys and girls are given the same opportunity in education and in every career field, women are encouraged to join such as the army, medicine, engineering, politics