Athens vs. SpartaA comparative analysis of two City-States

Mrs. FloresWHAP!

Early AthensWith the Emergence of early Athens: 800-400

B.C.E.Rise of Democracy during the 5th century

Monarchies forced aside by the Aristocratic class: Gave rise to the Oligarchs in the early 500’s

Solon: Reformer, set up laws that were written and could be revised.

510 Rebellion broke out: Cleisthenes( Aristocrat) to gain control: However instability within the aristocrats led to the rise of democracy in Athens.

Athenian “Democracy”“Town meetings

Only free white males assembled together make decisions that affected the polis

Able to speak freely, persuade others to their opinions: Collective votes determined political actions.Emergence of the Council of 500Citizens were chosen for a term of 1yrResponsible for making and implementing policies

Democratic principles were heavily emphasized but only consisted of free white malesWomen and Slaves: No political Power

Early Sparta7th century B.C.E. Both Athens and Sparta were similar in many

waysHowever, Major rebellions in and around

Sparta influenced a highly Militaristic society700’s: Spartans defeated Messenia ( City-

State)600’s Messenians challenged the Spartans: Led

to the Spartans grasping a tighter control over the Military.

Sparta Military PowerhouseSpartan Men WarriorsSelf DisciplinedRigidly obedientEmphasized Fitness for Both Men and

Women.

Economic CharacteristicsEconomic Trade: Ionia Rivers :Fertile plain near the

coast Greek Farmers on mainland:

Depended on rainfall for their crops Poor Soil: Limited crop production Planted barley, olive trees, grape

vines Sheep, Goats were raised in most

areas Cattle and Horses in Northern

Greece Natural Resources

Building stones: Marble Clay: Pottery Very few metal deposits

Across the AegeanTimber, gold, iron,

copper and tin.Coinage:Significance: facilitated

TradeReplaced inefficient

systems of weighing gold and silver : exchange of goods.

Storage of wealth more efficiant

Social Distinctions: Citizens vs. Non CitizensSparta Athens Equal in Status

Spartans were simple people Frugal lifestyle: Did not

accumulate possessions Houses were equally unadorned

Distinctions were made by military and athletic Talent.

Spartan Boys: age of 7yrs Trained in military barracks Maintained order and stability

through highly organized military Trade and luxuries: seen as

harmful to their purity Society maintained by Military

values

Urban-based Aristocracy Simple farmers Distinction between aristocracy and the

commoners led to discontent and reform Gave commoners: More Rights

Society was maintained by democratic principles Only Free male citizens could

participate making them more equal Ironically: Divided free men vs.

slaves. ( 30% of Pop made up of slaves)

Divisions of labor in Athens: Personal servants, Craftsman

Slaves held no political rights, nor could they serve in the army

Gender Relations: Men and WomenSparta AthensWomen were free and

equal to men Encouraged to be physical

fit as men: Produce strong and healthy babies

Wives did not live with husbands ( Men were often at war)

Sparta: Run by Women; While men were on the war

front. Women maintained the city

state and household

Gender inequality: Clearly Defined Respectable Athenian women

Confined to the home Ventured outside under the

guardianship of slaves and servants Women in rural areas

Had more Freedom However, Athenian women: No

political rights, could not own property or businesses Citizens: however could not

participate in government affairs Other Athenian Women ( not upper

class): Particularly prostitutes Did not follow same rules and were

considered lower in class distinction.

Cultural Characteristics: Philosophy/Religion Religion

Polytheistic Not omnipotent

Carried same emotions as humans No priestly class Did not take their gods seriously

Did not believe the gods controlled human destiny

Emphasized : Secularism: affairs of the world

Led to seeking the answers to the dilemmas of Human existence

Similar to Confucianism ?

Philosophy: “Love of Wisdom” Interested in the physical

world Did not believe the Gods

caused natural phenomena Nature or Natural law caused

phenomenaSocrates: 470-399 b.c.e Focused on ethical questions and

truth seeking regarding human nature.

Rational of Human Nature: Ability of humans to reason for themselves

Convicted of” poisoning the minds of young Athenian youths”

Trial of Socrates indicates the clash between traditional religious values and the emphasis on human reasoning

Art: Drama, Lyric Poems, Classical ArchitectureDrama: 600’s in

athensRepresentation of

myths about the gods, interventions with human affairs

Lyric Poetry form of musical

quality of songs: Express personal feelings

ArchitectureGreek templesParthenon on the

Acropolis Architecture: Widely

adopted by the Romans

Legacy: Provided the basic principles of modern architecture

Greek SculptureReflect how they

valued worth of an individualRevealed human

capabilitiesPhysically/

IntellectuallyDepicted the

concept of Beauty and Perfection

Expression individualized

Achievements of the Greeks during the “classical age” 500-300 b.c.e

Hellenic culture: Based on the Greek term Hellas

Greeks Vs. PersiaComparative analysis

WHAPMrs. Flores

Greeks vs. Persia

Wars between both civilizations sparked rebellion in IoniaDarius sent troops to put

down the rebellionAthens aided the Greeks in

IoniaDarius sent an army to

punish the mainland of GreeceBattle of Marathon490 b.c.e

Outcome: Greeks won!

XerxesDefeated at the Battle of

Thermopylae in 480Clash between Athens

and Persia trigger the mind frame of the modern clash between the east and west

( natural enemies)

Outcome of the Persian WarsPersia AthensSparked decline of the

Persian power.

Boosted Athens as the Premier City-State

Formed alliences with other city-states: Delian League under Pericles

Offended the Spartans Attacked Sparta’s Ally Corinth

Peloponnesian war ( 431 -404 b.c.e.( Athens and Sparta)

Outcome: Sparta Won! Legacy: left a long lasting hostility

towards each other Fueled independence and

indiviuality Led to weakness and vulnerability

to conquest!