Final answer:
Ancient Greek women's domestic and social experiences varied greatly with elite women experiencing strict confinement and non-elite women engaging more freely in outdoor work, though under male legal control. The design of houses and social structures contributed greatly to the movement and freedom of women. Spartiate women in Sparta somewhat broke this mold with their reputation for independence and strength.
Step-by-step explanation:
The domestic and social lives of women in ancient Greece varied significantly based on social status and location. Non-elite women often had more freedom to work outside the home, such as selling goods at the marketplace or assisting in shops, and worked alongside men in farming. However, they lacked legal control over their livelihoods. Elite Greek women faced much harsher social restrictions, confined primarily to their homes except for when accompanied by chaperones, or participating in the priesthoods of Greek gods as priestesses. Physical divides in living spaces designated the back parts of houses for women's domestic activities. The courtyard house design of some cultures created communal spaces where women could safely work and socialize together, contrasting with more isolating home designs in other eras and cultures.
Historically, much of the commentary on Greek women's lives comes from male scholars, which challenges the full understanding of the lived experiences of these women. Notable works by female authors like Sappho provide some insight, but overall, the gender divide was highly prevalent in Greek society. In Sparta, however, women known as Spartiate were famed for their relative independence and strength, as they managed family estates and participated in state-organized religious and cultural activities.