Athens vs. Sparta

How would people describe our country’s…

• Government

• Education

• Social Structure

• Military Strength

• Lifestyle

Comparison Activity

• In groups you will complete a chart comparing different features of Athens and Sparta– Location– Government– Education– Social Structure– Military Strength– Lifestyle– Role of Women

Athens Sparta

Location/Size

Government

Social Structure

Military

Lifestyle/Values

Education

Role of Women

Location and Size

Athens• On the peninsula of

Attica

Sparta• Was Greece’s largest

city-state and was located in southern Peloponnesus

Government

Athens• Poorer Athenian

citizens demanded a voice in their government

• Oligarchy was forced into a democracy where every citizen is allowed to vote on government issues

• Trial by jury

Sparta• Combination of different

forms of government• Oligarchy: rule by few rich

and powerful citizens

Social Structure

Athens• Freemen: all male citizens• Upper: Aristocrats

– Land owners

• Middle: small farmers• Lower: craftsman• Slaves: treated less harshly

than other Greek city-states

Sparta• Spartiates: Land owning

military professionals• Perioeci: foreigners who

were craftsman, artisans• Helots: farmer workers

who gave 1/2 of all their crops to their Spartan conquerors as taxes

Military

Athens• Athens had very

strong navy

Sparta• Strongest military

power in Greece

Lifestyle / Values

Athens• Democratic values• Participation in

government a civic responsibility

• Theatre / sporting events

Sparta• Duty was considered

more important than art or individual freedom

• Citizens were not permitted to own luxuries

• Children were taught to respect elderly, women, and warriors

Education

Athens• Most Athenian boys

could not afford to attend school. They worked with their fathers as farmers, potters, or stoneworkers

• Wealthy parents sent their sons to school to learn to read and write

• Girls were taught homemaking skills

Sparta• Boys: at age 7 they were

taught to read and write but spend much more time training to be soldiers

• Girls: at age 7 they were learning reading and writing, gymnastics, athletics and survival skills

Role of Women

Athens• Women were kept at

home to perform household tasks

• Could not participate in athletics

Sparta• Girls were educated• Could participate in

sports• Were trained to be

strong mothers of strong children

• Enjoyed a great deal of freedom

• Could own and control their property

Review and Discuss

• Using the information discussed in class, which city-state would you rather live in if you were an ancient Greek boy or girl? Include at least 3 reasons to support your decision.