1. Athens v. Sparta polis is often translated as "city-state”.
Cleisthenes-established Athenian democracy.
Ostracism

2. Athens versus Sparta Democracy Oligarchy
All stuff about Sparta comes from a foreign point of vie-poems, etc. A lot of Athenian writing comes from Xenophon, Plato, Aristophanes, they also wrote of Sparta in plays-which we can sometimes take as having some sort of factual relevance. None of writers in Sparta are women. From Athens we have legal records, etc. of women testifying which gives a female tone to a primary source.

3. Athens for babies
“Everybody raises a son if he is poor, but exposes a daughter even if he’s rich”
-Unwanted children exposed
-Children get only 1 name
-Boys and girls can play together until they turn 6.
Exposing girls was probably not overly practiced but there was a period during the Peloponnesian war when it may not have been in order to keep the population up. the girl names are feminine form of boy names OR named after virtues

4. Athens for boys Gymnasium, school, athletic festivals
boys = men when they’ve become initiated into their duties as a citizen and have assumed military duties. (marry old)
Goal: to have your wife stay at home because you make enough $ to support her.
Women and men can only interact decently at a wedding or funeral. No friends who are guys/girls if you’re of the opposite sex.

5. Athens for girls Religious duties, especially if you’re pretty!
Girl = woman when she is able to bear children. (marry young)
Goal-stay in your house so nobody can see you, you can have friends SOMETIMES.
Old/poor-get a job! = more freedom!
You can’t go to parties. If you do you’re considered a “floozy”

6. Athens-Who’s in charge?
“It is seemly for a woman to remain at home and not be out of doors; but for a man to stay inside, instead of devoting himself to outdoor pursuits, is disgraceful”
Men rule “outside” world
Women rule “inside” world

7. Sparta for babies May be exposed if you show weakness
Daddy wasn’t there
Until you are 7, boys and girls play together.
Men/women athletes
compete side by side
Spartan males from age 7-30 lived in barracks so you might never meet your father until after you are sent there.

8. Sparta for boys Live at home until you’re 7 Your mom is in charge
Live in the barracks until you are 30
Everything is done for the glory of Sparta
Spartan mothers were charged with upholding the ideals of Spartan society. They pushed the “military” ideal. If their son returned home as a messenger after battle, the mom would beat her son to death for being dishonorable-most of the time other moms cheered her on.

9. Sparta for girls
Primary responsibility: to bear “good” children for Sparta-both girls and boys are ok
Freedom of speech: they can speak their mind because Spartan women are the only ones who bear “real men”

10. Sparta-Who’s in charge?
“the men of Sparta always obeyed their wives, and allowed them to intervene in public affairs more than they themselves were allowed to intervene in private ones”
Women = the real Spartan generals?

11. Where would YOU want to be?