Women in Ancient Greece.

The women of Athens role in society was very different from the women of Sparta. The women in Athens were s small step above slaves in the 5th century (B.C). In Athens, there was an ideal of an obedient woman, the women lived under the protection of her father or husband (or some type of male figure). The women of Athens primary responsibilities were to have and educate kids, manage the house, spin, weave, and oversee food preparation. Small girls in Athens were expected to earn their education, In wealthy families girls were educated to run the household of servants and slaves, and were usually married by the age of 13. Athenian woman were put into three different classes, the lowest class was a slave who helped with domestic chores and helped raise children of wifes. The second class was the Athenian citizen woman. The third class was known as the Hetaerae. The Hetaere unlike the slaves and the citizens, were very similar to the Geisha's of China. Hetaerae women were given an education in reading, writing, and music, and were allowed into the Agora and other structures which were off limits to citizen and slave women. Unlike the women of the Athens the women of Sparta were born with respect and freedom, they were required by law to be given the same care as their brothers. Spartan girls were required to attend school but a shorter period than boys. At school girls were allowed to participate in sports. Spartan women rarely got married before the age of 20, and unlike Athenian woman who covered up and were rarely seen outside the house, Spartan woman were allowed to wear what they pleased.