‘Wife sharing’ is just one of the processes that illustrates child bearing as being a primary goal of woman as expected in society. If a man did not desire to be married, but wished to have an heir a married woman could if she wished conceive his child. If an older man was married to a younger woman he could choose a man with good physical qualities to impregnate his wife. This not only tells us of the pressures of producing an heir but also suggests that a woman’s worth and place in society was closely linked to her ability to have strong children.
Spartan woman like Spartan men received basic education and encouraged to engage team sports singing and dancing. All to help keep them in peak physical condition. Kyniska is an example of a Spartan woman participating in such activities who became extremely distinguished due to her victories in the Olympic Games. Women were also able to mingle freely with men and wear less restricting clothes, another display of power. One can speculate that Woman were of almost equal levels of respect and standing in society as men. They had much freedom and enjoyed many of the activities men were required to undergo.
Another huge responsibility of woman was to run a household. While men were absent on campaign woman maintained Spartan society. They were essential in keeping the warrior society functioning and maintaining itself. As woman could inherit property, and wealth derived from landownership woman of Sparta could become subsequently wealthy and influential. Aristotle believed that by the end of the classical period woman owned 2/3 of the land. He also states however that their freedom and influence woman had on both their husbands and society inevitably lead to their downfall.
Woman also held a very powerful position when it came to influencing men of Sparta. They told their men to “come home with their shields or on them”. It was considered of great prestige to be a mother, daughter or wife to a great warrior and therefore encouraged courage and victory when men went on campaign. This shows that Spartan woman believed war oriented way of Sparta as well as being quite brutal when it came to a males outcome it war.
Women were a much needed commodity in ancient Sparta. Without woman, Sparta would have never been able to continue the warrior ways. Woman were needed to produce strong offspring that would eventually serve the state, run the household when men were absent on campaign, and to encourage their sons to live the strict Spartan life. Without the educated woman of Sparta to maintain the balance of society Sparta would have fallen to Helot revolts. They were considered to be extremely powerful and although they were criticised it was necessary for the society’s survival.
Spartan girl’s education
Spartan girls did not receive such rigorous training as males, but did receive more education than other woman of Greece. They remained in the household and were taught what officials thought necessary to learn. They learnt to weave, but this was only thought to be the weaving of ritualistic wear. (Every day weaving was left to the helot slaves) it is also assumed they learnt basic literary skills but there is no strong evidence to support this. Physical training was apart of their education as dictated by Lycourgus. They participated in outdoor group sports and athletics, which were frowned upon by many Greek states. They were also taught to sing alone and in choruses. Along with these aspects of education they were taught to be powerful woman who supported their warrior husbands, fathers or brothers. They were taught to enforce military prestige to their sons, when they themselves were mothers. We know this from the famous quote; ‘come home with your shield or on it’ a saying of Spartan woman. They were also taught how to manage e properties while their husbands were away on campaign. Aristotle saw their education and prominence as Spartans downfall.