Ultimate Guide Women in Ancient Greece

"What was the first step in preparing wool for weaving in Ancient Greece?"

"Wool from sheep or goats would have to be carded to separate the fibres."

"What was done after carding wool fibres?"

"The fibres would be spun (twisted) into threads."

"What might be done to threads if money was available?"

"Threads might be dyed."

"How were threads turned into cloth?"

"Threads would be woven on a loom by hand."

"What qualities were women praised for in weaving?"

"Industriousness/hard work

"Who was the goddess of weaving in Greece?"

"Athena."

"What famous example shows weaving as an ideal feminine virtue in Ancient Greece?"

"Penelope in Homer's Odyssey

"What is shown on a Greek black figure vase attributed to the Amasis Painter?"

"Women working at a loom."

"What role did the kyria have in supervising household work?"

"Managing goods brought in by the kyrios and supervising work of unmarried girls and slaves inside the house."

"What tasks did female domestic slaves perform?"

"Running errands

"What did Xenophon say about training slaves in skills?"

"Turning slaves who knew nothing into skilled workers doubled or made them invaluable."

"What was a consequence for a slave helping her kyria organize an affair?"

"She was whipped."

"How did Spartan society differ from other ancient Mediterranean societies?"

"Sparta had a unique system based on military training

"What were helots?"

"Enslaved people from conquered regions

"Why did Spartans pass new laws after the Second Messenian War?"

"To prevent helot revolts

"What were the key ideas of the Spartan system?"

"Prevent helot uprising

"How were boys and girls treated in terms of birth preference in Sparta?"

"No preference; the main criterion was the health of the baby."

"What was the purpose of physical education for Spartan girls?"

"To survive childbirth better and produce healthier children."

"What physical activities did Spartan girls learn?"

"Singing

"Why did Spartan girls train naked?"

"It was thought to banish prudery and improve fitness."

"What rations were Spartan girls given?"

"The same as boys

"What kind of contests did Spartan girls participate in?"

"Competitions in physical fitness like running and strength."

"What nickname was given to Spartan dancers?"

"'Thigh-flashers' due to their energetic dancing."

"Who was Cynisca?"

"The first woman victor at the ancient Olympic Games; her horses won the chariot race."

"What did Aristophanes write about Spartan girls?"

"They exercised their bodies rigorously

"What did Plutarch say about Lycurgus’s reason for female exercise?"

"Women needed strength to withstand childbirth and produce strong children."

"What did Xenophon say about how other Greeks raised girls?"

"They thought girls should sit alone doing wool work

"What opportunities did young men and women have to interact in Sparta?"

"Boys and girls exercised together and girls heckled boys."

"How was matchmaking in Sparta different from Athens?"

"Spartan marriages had no dowry and brides were likely familiar to grooms."

"When did Spartan girls typically marry?"

"In their late teens or early twenties

"What happened to a Spartan bride on her wedding night?"

"Her hair was cut short

"Where did the Spartan groom spend most of his time after marriage?"

"In the military barracks with his syssition (comrades)."

"How did the Spartan groom consummate the marriage?"

"He sneaked out at night to visit his bride

"When did the married Spartan couple live together permanently?"

"Only after the groom retired from military service at age 30."

"What did Plutarch note about Spartan wedding rituals?"

"Women were taken when in their prime; husbands visited by stealth

"What are two theories why Spartan couples sneaked around?"

"1) To increase sexual excitement for healthier offspring; 2) To keep a soldier’s allegiance with comrades

"What was a key duty of adult Spartan women?"

"To support Spartan values by encouraging men and praising warriors."

"What household roles did Spartan women have?"

"Managing household finances

"What skills were taught to Spartan girls to help manage households?"

"Numeracy and farm-management

"What daily duties did Spartan women have?"

"Produce healthy children

"What was the Spartan women’s role with the kleros?"

"To feed the family and contribute to the husband’s syssition."

"Did Spartan women do housework or weaving?"

"No

"Did Spartan women have political power?"

"No official political power

"How much land did Spartan women own?"

"About 2/5 of Spartan land was owned by women."

"What did Aristotle say about Spartan women and land ownership?"

"They lived luxuriously and controlled many things due to inheritance and large dowries."

"Did Spartan women need escorts outside the home?"

"No

"Were Spartan women expected to exercise physically?"

"Yes

"What was the Spartan practice of polyandry?"

"Women could have sex with men other than their husbands

"Who introduced young men to Spartan wives for polyandry?"

"An elder who admired the young man’s qualities."