Unlike its rival Athens—a center for art and philosophy—Sparta was a militarized society where every full male citizen was, by law, a professional soldier.
: Citizens were called Homoioi ("Equals"), emphasizing a shared lifestyle of austerity and shared meals in public messes ( syssitia ). Sparta
: Women in Sparta enjoyed more freedom and status than those in most other Greek cities. They were encouraged to exercise and compete in sports, under the belief that strong mothers would produce strong Spartan sons. Unlike its rival Athens—a center for art and