Spartan Women Essay

Archaeological evidence collected in ancient Laconia reveals great insight into the role and status of Spartan women until 371 BC. A compilation of written sources shows the unique treatment of women in Sparta compared with that of other ancient Greek societies. This treatment differs the economic, religious, marital, reproductive and social responsibilities from those of gender archetypes.

As men were away at war and occupied with training in the agoge, women were involved in trading, agriculture and supervising helots. This system was criticised by Plutarch as he noted “the men were indeed obliged to leave their wives in sole control at home, and for this reason paid them greater deference than was their due.” Some women were extremely

Instead of performing menial tasks, the girls would participate in javelin, discus, running, wrestling and dancing competitions so that the children would become competitive and eager to continue training. They believed that if a woman were to be fed properly and were to train with the men and become strong themselves that their children will too be strong and worthy of a place in the Spartan military. Xenophon states that “Lycurgus thought that slave women were sufficient to supply clothing. As he considered childbearing the most important function of free women, he prescribed physical training for women no less than men. Then he instituted contests for running and physical prowess for women just as for men, as he thought that when both parents are strong, there offspring are more vigorous.” A bronze statue of a girl in a tunic, captured in a movement indicative of fighting which acts as further evidence of female physicality. The unique upbringing and training of girls was established by Lycurgus’ ideal that the main role of women was to produce strong and healthy warriors to continue the military

According to Plutarch, before getting married, women would cut their hair short, dress up in men attire and lay on a mattress in a dark room. A man would then come in, choose his wife randomly and engage in sexual intercourse with her. From this point on, the pair was a married couple and future meetings with each other were to be done in secret until pregnancy. Xenophon suggests being without one another for such long periods of time built up excitement and sexual tension between the two so that when they finally did meet, the offspring conceived from such passionate intercourse would be stronger and healthier as a result. Another display of status among women was the importance of reproduction as evidenced by how females dying in childbirth were buried with a tombstone and an inscription of their name; an honour which is only extended to