Final answer:
Women in Classical Greece had a secondary role, being largely confined to household duties and not considered citizens. Elite women were restricted to the home and some religious roles, while non-elite women worked but lacked legal rights. Spartan women had more freedoms compared to other Greek polis.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Classical Greece, women had a markedly subservient role in societal structure. They were seen primarily as caretakers of the home, unable to be citizens, hold public office, legally own property, or represent themselves in court. They were legal minors under the control of a male guardian, typically a father or husband.
Elite women were largely confined to their homes and could only go out with chaperones. Their public presence was permissible chiefly in religious roles, such as being priestesses in Greek religious practices. Some women known as hetaeras received education to entertain men, and were considered to hold a higher status than most women but were still below men.
Non-elite women, due to economic necessity, had more active roles in markets and farms but still lacked legal autonomy. Slaves, who formed a significant part of the population, experienced extreme oppression and had virtually no rights. In contrast, Spartan society allowed free Spartan women to enjoy greater freedoms, including speaking publicly and owning land, which was scandalous to other Greeks.