Young Women- chapter 2 (Sparta) Flashcards
1
Q
Athenian v Spartan women
A
Athenian = more feminine and covered up Spartan = less covered up, more powerful and muscular Athenian= would weave Spartan= would be physical
2
Q
Upbringing and Education of Spartan Girls
A
- “warrior society” every adult male was a solider
- women played a role in ensuring success of militaristic system
- laws and customs in upbringing of girls assure for healthy children to be born
- elders decided wether newborn would be accepted or exposed
- strong baby= lived
- weak= exposed
3
Q
Upbringing pt 2
A
No preference of raising boys over girls
- only Critera was health of baby
- suggests elders( all men) valued contribution of women in Sparta
4
Q
Education
A
- girls engaged in physical activity like boys
- to “ withstand childbearing because of their strength and struggle smoothly and easily w pains of birth”
- similarly historian xenophon gives support how sparta rejected traditional Greek customs
- first women to win Olympic game was Cynisca
- games held every 4 years for males but cynisca played a trainer of horses, her team won first place
5
Q
What were the Marriage customs
A
Young men and women had open opportunities to interact
- boys and girls worked out together, girls told to heckle boys
- boys seem lazy they would insult
- boy excelled they praised to motivate
- unclear how marriage was arranged
- girls parents had an arranged suitable marriage
- no dowry
6
Q
Continue
A
No finically aspect to marriage
- main purpose was to produce kids
- Spartan girls married later than Athens girls, late teens early twenties
- older girls were in physical prime, thought to produce stronger babies
7
Q
Wedding ceremony
A
- bride have hair cut short like male, wear man clothes and sandals
- lie waiting on floor for husband in bedroom
- groom had dinner, gone bed in milarty Barraks
- groom would sneak out of barraks, go brides house, Carey her to bed and consumate marriage
- stay with her for short time, but return to barracks
- arrangement continues but only meet secretly
8
Q
Why is Spartan ritual like this?
A
- sneaking around adds excitement, then resulting into energetic sex, to healthier offspring
- prevented husband and wife from spending too much time w eachother, ensure that warriors would always be a comrade first
- Spartan man would b 30 before moving out of barracks
9
Q
Spartan women
A
- Unique in greek world Women ensure that families had enough food and husband provided for ration of food for their syssition. - Were a scandel in Greek world - has too much economic power Adultery encouraged sometimes, To get pregnant - wore short skirts, “thigh flashers”
