Johnson

Social Equality Athens and Sparta were both places that were full of culture; they both had their own beliefs and systems. One thing that set Athens and Sparta apart was their social equality’s. At this time period it was very rare that they woman would have equal rights compared to the men. Woman in Sparta were treat fairly equal to the men but in Athens they were considered property of the husbands and did not have much of a role at all. Spartan woman did not have jobs or did they participate in the army but they did have freedom and were able to roam the town without needing permission. These women also guarded and were in charge of their husband’s property when they were away at war. Athenian ladies rarely ever held job positions and hardly ever participated in sports. Both groups of women did not get the rights that they deserved and could have been very useful if they were not judged by their gender. In Sparta and in Athens woman seldom had a job. In Sparta the woman would stay home and take care of the kids, cooking and cleaning while the men would fight and do their jobs. The Athenian ladies would do the same thing, although the Athenian woman didn’t have jobs they could have high roles in ritual events and religious activities. One thing that both women were commonly found doing tasks was weaving or spinning baskets and other household items. Jobs were rarely if ever granted to woman, so they would take the task of staying at home and doing domestic activities. Spartan girls were well educated and Athenian girls stayed home to help with their mother. Spartan girls did go to school, the one class they took was physical education were they learned wrestling, combat, and gymnastics. Athenian girls would just stay home with their mothers cleaning and helping with chores. When Spartan girls turned 18 they would have a physical test, if they passed they were assigned a wife. The reason they would put the women through these physical activities is because they want their children to be strong and fit. For young women the same rules apply for the older ones, the Spartans still, at young ages have more equal laws for women and men.