Athens & Sparta’s HistoryAthens & Sparta’s History

Rule & OrderRule & Order

PolisPolis– Fundamental political unit political unit Fundamental political unit political unit

in ancient Greecein ancient Greece– Countryside & surrounding citiesCountryside & surrounding cities– 50-500 square miles of territory50-500 square miles of territory– Fewer than 20,000 residentsFewer than 20,000 residents

AcropolisAcropolis– Male citizens gather to conduct businessMale citizens gather to conduct business

Political StructuresPolitical StructuresMonarchyMonarchy– King or monarchs ruleKing or monarchs rule– Ultimate controlUltimate control

AristocracyAristocracy– Small group of noble, land-owning familiesSmall group of noble, land-owning families– Gained control by working in kings militaryGained control by working in kings military

OligarchyOligarchy– Few powerful peopleFew powerful people

PhalanxPhalanxDorian AgeDorian Age– Bronze weaponsBronze weapons– Wealthy ownedWealthy owned

Iron replaces Bronze b/c Iron replaces Bronze b/c cheapercheaper– Ordinary citizens could Ordinary citizens could

own weapons nowown weapons now

Citizens expected to Citizens expected to defend polisdefend polisFoot soldiers (Hoplites)Foot soldiers (Hoplites)– Shield in 1 handShield in 1 hand– Spear in the otherSpear in the other

Tyrants use unemployed to Tyrants use unemployed to seize controlseize control

SpartaSpartaMilitary stateMilitary state

Southern part on PeloponnesusSouthern part on Peloponnesus

No colonies just brute forceNo colonies just brute force– Messenia circa 725 B.C.Messenia circa 725 B.C.

B/C HelotsB/C Helots– Peasants forced to stay on land & work itPeasants forced to stay on land & work it– Spartans demanded 50% of crops each yearSpartans demanded 50% of crops each year

600 B.C. revolt of helots600 B.C. revolt of helots

Result? Sparta needs to be strongerResult? Sparta needs to be stronger

Government & SocietyGovernment & Society2 groups ruled2 groups ruled– AssemblyAssembly– Council of EldersCouncil of Elders

Proposed laws to be Proposed laws to be passedpassed

EphorsEphors– 5 elected officials carry 5 elected officials carry

out lawsout laws– Controlled education & Controlled education &

court casescourt cases

2 Kings control army2 Kings control army

Descendants of original inhabitants

Ruling land owners

Helots

Slaves

EducationEducationMilitary trainingMilitary training– Boys left home @ age 7 to beginBoys left home @ age 7 to begin– Wore no shoesWore no shoes– Harsh conditions to make good soldiersHarsh conditions to make good soldiers

WomenWomen– Could not voteCould not vote– Ran family while men served polisRan family while men served polis

Most powerful army in Greece (600-371 B.C.)Most powerful army in Greece (600-371 B.C.)– Individuals discouragedIndividuals discouraged– Result?Result?

No value in artsNo value in artsValued duty, strength, & discipline over individuality, Valued duty, strength, & discipline over individuality, beauty, & freedombeauty, & freedom

Athenian DemocracyAthenian DemocracyPolar opposite of SpartaPolar opposite of Sparta– Free thinkingFree thinking– Imagination & curiosityImagination & curiosity

All All freefree citizens involved in citizens involved in governmentgovernmentSlaves, foreigners living w/i Athens & Slaves, foreigners living w/i Athens & women do not have rightswomen do not have rightsSlaves = 1/3 of pop. & worked mines, Slaves = 1/3 of pop. & worked mines, fields, & houseworkfields, & housework

Draco’s codeDraco’s codeAristocrats & common folk always fightingAristocrats & common folk always fighting

621 B.C. Cylon tried to est. a tyranny621 B.C. Cylon tried to est. a tyranny

Commoners insist on written lawsCommoners insist on written laws

Included contracts & property ownershipIncluded contracts & property ownership

SolonSolon– Gets total control to reform laws (debt slavery)Gets total control to reform laws (debt slavery)