Upbringing and education of Spartan girls Flashcards
Sparta is famous for having been the “_ society” of antiquity.
Warrior
How many adult males were professional soldiers in Sparta?
Every adult male
What were Spartan laws and customs designed for?
To produce elite soldiers that would enable Sparta to achieve and maintain total military dominance.
Did Spartan women go to war?
No
What were laws and customs governing the upbringing and education of Spartan girls intended for?
To help them bear healthy children and to encourage the men of Sparta to excel in their training.
In Sparta, who decided whether a newborn baby would be accepted into the household, or exposed?
The Spartan elders.
In which cases would a baby in Sparta be exposed?
If the baby was not sturdy and was weak or in any way deformed.
Was there a preference for raising boys over girls in Sparta?
No, the only criterion was the health of the baby.
What gender were all of the Spartan elders?
They were all men
Were contributions that women made to Sparta valued?
yes
In Sparta, who engaged in physical training?
Both girls and boys
Why did Spartan girls engage in physical training?
-To withstand childbearing because of their strength and struggle smoothly and easily with the pains of childbirth.
-Because it was thought that offspring from two fit parents would be stronger.
What customs did Sparta reject?
Traditional Greek customs regarding women, establishing new ones that would develop their strength.
In Sparta, what was the most important function of free women?
Producing children
What type of competitions were held for females in Sparta?
Competitions in speed and strength, so that females could compete with one another just as men did.
Who was the very first woman to be a victor at the ancient Olympics?
A spartan named Cynisca.
Who could compete in the ancient Olympics?
Any freeborn male Greek.
How did Cynisca get around the fact that only freeborn men would compete in the Olympics?
She entered the games as a trainer of horses. Her team of horses won first place in the chariot race.
What does the fact the Cynisca was able to openly enter the games provide evidence for?
That Spartans valued physical skill in their women.
