How did families in Sparta differ from those in Athens?

The differences between families in Sparta and Athens were significant and reflected the fundamental cultural, political, and social distinctions between the two city-states. While Athenian families were patriarchal in nature, with men holding all power and making all decisions, Spartan families were much more egalitarian, with women playing a much more prominent role in society. In Sparta, women were educated, both physically and intellectually, and were even trained in combat alongside men, as it was believed that strong and capable women would produce strong and capable children. Spartan women were also allowed to own property and had a great deal of autonomy compared to their Athenian counterparts.

Additionally, the upbringing of children in Sparta was vastly different from that in Athens. Spartan children were raised collectively by the state rather than by individual families, which fostered a strong sense of community and patriotism. From a young age, boys were trained to be warriors, and girls were trained to be physically fit and to bear healthy children. This collective upbringing also meant that individual families did not have the same level of control over their children's lives as they did in Athens.

In contrast, Athenian children were raised in nuclear families and were expected to conform to their respective gender roles as they grew up. Girls were taught domestic skills, such as weaving and cooking, while boys were educated in fields such as rhetoric and philosophy. Athenian families were also closely tied to the city-state's political system, as only male citizens could participate in the democratic process.

Overall, the differences in family structure and upbringing between Sparta and Athens were reflective of the fundamental differences between the two city-states in terms of their values, priorities, and political systems.