Athenian vs Spartan Women Women in ancient Athens and Sparta were both considered to be subordinate to their male counterparts. However, Athenian women were considered to be much more subordinate to men; while Spartan women were of a more free status. Athenian women were bound to their home; an ideal Athenian wife pious and modest. The main activity of Athenian women was to weave elaborate textiles, birth children, and nurture infants. The ideal image of a Spartan woman was much different. In the militant Spartan culture, women were expected to uphold a similar fitness regime to men. The Spartans believed that strong wives would produce strong, healthy offspring. The Athenian’s philosophical views on the world were that a woman’s body was