Women in Sparta were more dominant in society than their Athenian sisters. Spartan women received a good education, learned to read and write, and were good at the arts and athletics. Spartan women were expected to be intelligent enough to control their property. Spartan women had different freedoms and advantages than other Greek women; they had to be physically, emotionally and intellectually strong. Spartan women were famously known for their sharp wit and outspoken nature. They were encouraged to develop their intellect and owned more than a third of the land, nearly two-fifths of the state. While husbands and sons worked in the army, women took charge of everything inside and outside the home. Spartan women had control of their children until the totalitarian society took control of them at age 7. Being under a totalitarian society, Sparta had a strong army and the citizens did not have an easy lifestyle like the Athenians. A totalitarian society meant that the political system was in full control of the state and controlled all aspects of public and private life. Spartan men dedicated their lives to the military and other services to the state of Sparta. Leaving his wife to the family estate and owning all the properties. Athenian men were away discussing politics and when they returned home they expected obedience from their wives. Athenian men were always supposed to have control while in public, but no social control behind closed doors. Athenian women never inherited any property and were left at the disposal of male relatives. Material power induced the women of Sparta and Athens to marry a relative in exchange for inheritance money. Financial power for women in Athens was illegal: no woman could be head of the mon...... middle of paper......k they usually worshiped the same gods, but depending on the location the religions they differed. The Spartans considered the warrior gods to be much more important than the peaceful gods. Women worshiped deities focused on beauty, health, fitness, and childbirth. Spartan women were also involved in cults centered on local heroes; The cult of Helen of Sparta was the largest cult in the state of Sparta. Helen of Sparta was known as Helen of Troy, she was the wife of the Spartan king Menelaus, daughter of Zeus and Leda and sister of Castor, Pollux and Clytemnestra. Helen of Troy (Sparta) was considered the most beautiful woman in the world. When the time came to marry, many kings and princes from all over the world came to seek her in marriage. A Trojan prince, Paris, came to Sparta to claim Helen, in disguise to kidnap her. This began the Trojan War, a war that lasted ten years.