Interpretation and analysis

Read the following brief excerpts from larger works by Aristotle, Plutarch, and Xenophon on Spartan women. Remember that none of these men are actually Spartans (Aristotle was born in Stagira, but spent much of his adult life in Athens; Xenophon was from Athens, but spent a lot of time with Spartan soldiers; Plutarch was from Boeotia in central Greece when it was ruled by the Romans in the 2nd Century CE). Also note that “Lacedaemonian” is just another way to say Spartan and “Lycurgus” is the person who was said to have founded classical Sparta and set many of its laws and traditions. Aristotle: Spartan Women, from The Politics – Fourth Century BCE Plutarch: The Advantages of Spartan Education and Marriage Customs, from Life of Lycurgus – Second Century CE Xenophon: The Education of Spartan Mothers, from Constitution of the Lacedaemonians – Fourth Century BCE Based on the readings, answer the following questions; use MLA citation format. Interpretation and Analysis - Aristotle How do Spartan women counter his earlier characterization of a “good wife”? Explain your answer. Interpretation and Analysis - Plutarch Plutarch disagrees with Aristotle’s depiction of Spartan women as “out of control.” Why does he say women had the types of liberties that they did? What responsibilities did women have in Sparta, and would you say they were independent? Why or why not? Why do you think was the meaning behind the Spartan marriage customs? Interpretation and Analysis - Xenophon How would you characterize Xenophon’s depiction of Spartan women? What was supposed to be the most important outcome of Spartan marriages? Why? Overall What are your overall assessments of the differences between Spartan and Athenian women? How do the primary sources relate to your readings from the textbook?