Women's roles and status varied dramatically depending on the period and region in question. The Homeric epics, for example, depict women as having quite a bit of freedom, while classical Athens placed them under legal tutelage. In terms of overall trends, however, certain themes emerge. Firstly, women were generally confined to the domestic sphere, with their main role being that of wife and mother. They were expected to be chaste, subservient, and capable of successfully running a household. Secondly, female education was limited. In Sparta, girls received an education that focused on physical fitness, while in Athens they were typically confined to the home and instructed by mothers or nurses. Thirdly, women had no political rights. They could not vote, attend political meetings, or engage in public life. Finally, women were not legally independent and were unable to own property.