Look! Look! I can plan. Sort of. (Also a paragraph)

Did some work today in class and normally I'd say more but it's quite late so without further ado:

Mah plan:

• Introduction (250 words) 
• Paragraph One: Describe the ideal of female beauty in Greece and Sparta (500 words) (Describe what is there) 
• Paragraph Two: Explore the social reasons behind those ideals (500 words) (Explain why it’s there) 
• Paragraph Three: Demonstrate the cultural manifestations of those ideals (500 words) (Show where it appears)
• Conclusion (250 words)

And now, the first paragraph.

Between the near antithetical cultures observed by the Spartans and all other Greek poli, the ultimate paradigms of female beauty differed greatly. In spite of the general condemnation of the way in which Spartan women conducted themselves, they were famed for their beauty. Homer referred to Sparta as, “kallignyaika”, “the land of beautiful women”; it is common knowledge also that, “the face that launched a thousand ships”, belonged to of Helen of Troy, or, more accurately, Helen of Sparta. These endorsements clearly show the admiration of the other poli, but it is important to note that the Spartans themselves, though still reverent of beauty, were practical rather than romantic in their ideals. The Spartan perception of female beauty centred on the physical manifestation of athleticism and fitness, and not on the artificial enhancement or subjugation of women, as seen in other parts of Greece; and although the Spartans were fixated on physical prowess to the point of narcissism, they were not inclined to material vanity, as evidenced by the rulings of Lycurgus, which forbade the use of cosmetics. Even coiffure was not a matter of beauty in Sparta, as long and short hairstyles were used solely to differentiate between unmarried and married women, respectively. The other Greek poli, however, had very different standards of female beauty to Sparta; in spite of the open admiration with which the rest of Greece observed the Spartan women, when they were not participating in politics, sport, or any other activity in which they opposed men or demonstrated their capacity for free thought that is, the other poli preferred women who showed little evidence of physical exertion and much evidence of oppressive misogyny. Women were expected to wear long, sleeveless robes that fell to their ankles and concealed their legs, and adorn themselves with jewellery of various forms. Pale, delicate skin was also a particular mark of beauty in a female, and women frequently used cosmetics, including white lead, which was very toxic, and chalk, to lighten their skin. Other facial beautifications went in and out of mode throughout the period; connected eyebrows were considered highly fashionable at one stage and powders were used to for various things, including the darkening of the eyelid and the rouging of the cheeks. It is evident, then, that there are substantial differences between the epitomes of beauty that were upheld by the Spartans and all the other Greek poli.

Huzzah.