Role of Women in Ancient Sparta

- According to Lykurgus "the purpose of girl's education was to produce healthy bodies so that they can undergo more child bearing". - To breed strong, fit champions and warriors who would defend the city with total obedience and courage - Plutarch wrote that women were noted for their freedom and respect, which mainly derived from Lykurgus - Mother love was replaced by a mother's pride in her son's bravery in battle and disgust with any …

…which the mother stays home with the family, but this was not so in Sparta. It was different, as there was no real family. - It is said that a foreigner once asked the wife of King Leonidas why Spartan women were able to influence men more than wives in other cities, and she replied, "we are the only women who can control men, because we are the only women who gave birth to men".