Political rights of women in Athens

Athenian women could not own property in their own right. If they were married, complete control went to their husband. If they divorced, control and rights over any property went back to their father or nearest male relative.
Women had very few rights, let alone legal rights. They had no rights to vote or take part in the operation of the state. They were not allowed to watch the Olympic Games, as the participants did not wear clothes. Chariot racing was the only game women could win, and only then if they owned the horse. Most Greek households had slaves. Female slaves cooked, cleaned, and worked in the fields. If a woman did not have a slave, then they had a lot more freedom, but a lot more work to do. Athenians created democracy. All citizens were expected to vote; women and slaves were not considered citizens.

Political rights of women in Sparta

When comparing power levels and women’s rights, Sparta was a leader in its time. Sparta, known for its’ militaristic ways, was an oligarchy.  Sparta’s oligarchy was ruled by a counsel of 5 men, one being a lawmaker or giver.  The lawgiver’s name was Lycurgus.  Lycurgus was known for his warden-like ways in the training of men for war, but also for his equivalence in the rights of Spartan women. Sparta was comprised of three groups of people: citizens, the only ones with political power; perioikoi, free but without any political rights; and helots, serfs owned by the state and compelled to do all of the agricultural work and give half of the produce to their citizen overlords. Women could own property---and did in fact own more than a third of the land in Sparta---and they could dispose of it as they wished. 


works cited: http://www.womenintheancientworld.com/spartanwomen.htm









After reading the political rights of Spartan and Athenian women, what are the major differences between the political rights of the women in each Greek city?

What did women wear in Athens?

Clothing for women consisted of two main garments-a tunic (either a peplos or chiton) and a cloak (himation). The peplos was a large rectangle of heavy fabric, usually wool, folded over along the upper edge so that the over fold would reach to the waist. The chiton was made of a much lighter material, normally linen. It was a very long and very wide rectangle of fabric sewn up at the sides, pinned or sewn at the shoulders, and usually girded around the waist. Unlike Spartan women, Athenian women's skin was covered up.

 

                                             

What did women wear in Sparta?

Spartan women were known for their natural beauty, and they were forbidden from wearing any kind of makeup or beauty enhancements. Most families made their own clothes, which were simple tunics and warm cloaks, made of linen or wool; they were often decorated to represent the city-state in which they lived. The tunic that they wore  revealed much skin.


 
 
 

















Discussion: After reading and viewing the pictures of the women in Sparta and Athens, purely based on their clothes, which women do you think had more power and freedom? Why or why not?