Dear Spartan,
It was very surprising to receive your letter due to our city-states being at war with each other. I am also a 13 year old girl, but I am not allowed out alone without a chaperone to be with me. When I go out in public I must have my family or someone with me at all times. Our woman are very protected here. We do not learn to fight. We are taught at home by our mothers, however, my brother has been in school since he was seven. He is learning literature, mathmatics and philiosphy. Our city is very beautiful. We have been trying to rebuild since the Persian Wars. I am sorry to hear about your baby brother. That is just awful. We are truly a society of learning and not physical fitness like your city. One thing I will tell you that is heavy on my heart is the fact that I am getting married when I am 15. I am not happy about this because this marriage is arranged by my father. I wish I could escape to somewhere else so I would not have to go through this, but for now this is my life. Hope to hear from you again soon.
Your Athenian Friend,
Atena
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Spartan Life
Dear Athenian,
I am writing this in hopes you will answer me in the furture. I have always been interested in your city-state and am hoping to come visit someday. I wanted to tell you a little about my life here in Sparta. I am a 13 year old girl who is happy to say I have many freedoms here. I can own land and even walk the streets alone to go to the Agora to shop for my families food and daily needs. I can trade at the market as well. One of my favorite things to do is watch the soldiers train to prepare for battle. I have had training to fight ever since I was 7. All the boys go to military school at the age of seven and must serve in the army until age 60. I do not like one thing about my life here though. It saddens me to tell you that often small children that are considered too weak to live or do not live up to the Spartan's expectations, are put to death or left on a hillside to die. My youngest brother was killed this way right after he was born due to him having a shorter leg. I was wondering if you could answer some of my questions. I would like to know what freedoms you have as a women in Athens. Do you go to school to learn to fight? What do you do doing the day? What can you do in the Argora when you go to the market? I hope to hear from you, but we must keep this a secret because our cities are enemies.
Your Spartan Friend,
Katrina
I am writing this in hopes you will answer me in the furture. I have always been interested in your city-state and am hoping to come visit someday. I wanted to tell you a little about my life here in Sparta. I am a 13 year old girl who is happy to say I have many freedoms here. I can own land and even walk the streets alone to go to the Agora to shop for my families food and daily needs. I can trade at the market as well. One of my favorite things to do is watch the soldiers train to prepare for battle. I have had training to fight ever since I was 7. All the boys go to military school at the age of seven and must serve in the army until age 60. I do not like one thing about my life here though. It saddens me to tell you that often small children that are considered too weak to live or do not live up to the Spartan's expectations, are put to death or left on a hillside to die. My youngest brother was killed this way right after he was born due to him having a shorter leg. I was wondering if you could answer some of my questions. I would like to know what freedoms you have as a women in Athens. Do you go to school to learn to fight? What do you do doing the day? What can you do in the Argora when you go to the market? I hope to hear from you, but we must keep this a secret because our cities are enemies.
Your Spartan Friend,
Katrina
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