Athenian Women & SlavesWomen and slaves were not considered citizens in Athens, therefore they had very little rights. Athenian women could not own property, vote or attend the Assembly, or even choose their own husbands.Some women's only job in Athens was managing the household. They would spend their days working around the house and raising their children. Women would educated their sons until they were around 6 or 7 and ready for school, and their daughters until they were 15 and ready to be married.
There were many slaves throughout Athens.Slaves were either born into slavery or, or were captured during wars. Some slaves ran Athenian households and tutored children. Others were forced to work in farms or factores, and some as clerks in the city. The most unlucky slaves worked in the silver mines, for around 10 hours a day, 300 feet below the ground. |
Spartan Women & Slaves
Spartan women lived similar simple lives to men in Sparta. They wore very simple clothing and no makeup. Women were expected to be strong and healthy, and when necessary be ready to fight. The women were expected to look after their husbands property in times of war, and to also guard it from invaders and slavery revolts.
The Spartan slaves, helots, were people whose lands had been conquered by Sparta. Their were more helots than citizens in Sparta. Helots, surprisingly, had some rights, They could marry whomever and whenever they wanted. They could sell any extra crops they had after giving their master his share, and if they had saved enough money they could buy their own freedom.
The Spartan slaves, helots, were people whose lands had been conquered by Sparta. Their were more helots than citizens in Sparta. Helots, surprisingly, had some rights, They could marry whomever and whenever they wanted. They could sell any extra crops they had after giving their master his share, and if they had saved enough money they could buy their own freedom.