Spartan women
Spartan women were highly respected in ancient Greece and played an important role in the society of Sparta. While they did not enjoy the same rights as men, their lives were still very different from those of other Greek city-states. Unlike Athenian women, who had limited freedom and could not own land or participate in public life, Spartan women owned property, managed estates, ran businesses, and made decisions about financial matters such as marriage dowries. They also received a formal education with courses that included reading, writing, and music—something most other Greek cities denied to their female citizens.
In addition to managing households and finances, Spartan women took part in physical activities like wrestling, which helped prepare them for military training if needed. Female warriors known as "maidens" even served alongside male soldiers during times of war. Although it was rare for a woman to be called upon to fight on the battlefield, she would have been trained enough to do so if necessary. This meant that Spartan females often enjoyed more freedom than their counterparts throughout much of ancient Greece while simultaneously being expected to uphold traditional values such as modesty and obedience at home.