Life in Two City-Life in Two City-StatesStates

Athens and SpartaAthens and Sparta

IntroductionIntroduction

• Ancient Greece was a collection of city-states, Ancient Greece was a collection of city-states, each with its own governmenteach with its own government

• Two of the most important city-states were Two of the most important city-states were Athens and Sparta but they had very different Athens and Sparta but they had very different governments and very different ways of lifegovernments and very different ways of life

• Athens was a walled city near the seaAthens was a walled city near the sea• Sparta had no walls and was a farming Sparta had no walls and was a farming

communitycommunity• We will examine each city’s government, We will examine each city’s government,

economy, education and treatment of women economy, education and treatment of women and slavesand slaves

Comparing the Two City-Comparing the Two City-StatesStates

Athens and Sparta securityAthens and Sparta security

Read the section of text provided Read the section of text provided and create Venn Diagram in your and create Venn Diagram in your notebooksnotebooks

Athenian GovernmentAthenian GovernmentWho Participated?Who Participated?

• Athens became a democracy around Athens became a democracy around 500 B.C.E.500 B.C.E.

• Athens only allowed free men to be Athens only allowed free men to be citizenscitizens

• All men 18 or older, born in Athens, All men 18 or older, born in Athens, were free menwere free men

• Women and slaves were not citizensWomen and slaves were not citizens

Athens GovernmentAthens GovernmentHow Did It Work?How Did It Work?

• Every citizen could take part in the city’s Every citizen could take part in the city’s governmentgovernment

• A group of 500 men called the Council met A group of 500 men called the Council met everydayeveryday

• To chose the council Athenians would To chose the council Athenians would collect names of all men 30 years or older collect names of all men 30 years or older every year and from those names 500 men every year and from those names 500 men would be chosen as the council for that yearwould be chosen as the council for that year

• The council ran the government day to day The council ran the government day to day business and suggested new laws to vote onbusiness and suggested new laws to vote on

Making Laws in AthensMaking Laws in Athens

• Proposed laws had to be approved by the Proposed laws had to be approved by the Assembly, a larger group than the CouncilAssembly, a larger group than the Council

• The Assembly met on a hill about every 10 daysThe Assembly met on a hill about every 10 days• At least 6,000 people had to be present in order At least 6,000 people had to be present in order

for the meeting to take placefor the meeting to take place• If not enough people showed up, slaves would If not enough people showed up, slaves would

gather more citizens with robes dipped in red gather more citizens with robes dipped in red paintpaint

• Men were embarrassed to appear with stained Men were embarrassed to appear with stained robes so they tried their best to attend the robes so they tried their best to attend the AssemblyAssembly

The Assembly ContinuedThe Assembly Continued

• The Assembly debated and voted on laws The Assembly debated and voted on laws proposed by the councilproposed by the council

• Every citizen had the right to speak at the Every citizen had the right to speak at the Assembly meetingsAssembly meetings

• Some speakers were more skilled than others Some speakers were more skilled than others and some spoke longer than othersand some spoke longer than others

• Sometimes a water clock was used to time a Sometimes a water clock was used to time a speakerspeaker

• Most men enjoyed taking part in the assembly Most men enjoyed taking part in the assembly and they were proud of their freedom as and they were proud of their freedom as Athenian citizensAthenian citizens

EconomyEconomy

• An economy is the way a community An economy is the way a community or region organizes the manufacture or region organizes the manufacture and exchange of money, food, and exchange of money, food, products and servicesproducts and services

• How does the American economy How does the American economy work? work?

• What do we manufacture?What do we manufacture?• How do we exchange our money, How do we exchange our money,

food, products and services?food, products and services?

Athenian EconomyAthenian Economy

• The Athenian economy was based on The Athenian economy was based on tradetrade

• The land around Athens did not provide The land around Athens did not provide food for all of the city’s people but Athens food for all of the city’s people but Athens was near the sea, so Athens would trade was near the sea, so Athens would trade with other city-states and some foreign with other city-states and some foreign landslands

• The acquired wood from Italy and grain The acquired wood from Italy and grain from Egyptfrom Egypt

• In exchange, Athens traded honey, olive In exchange, Athens traded honey, olive oil, silver and beautifully painted pottery oil, silver and beautifully painted pottery

Athenian Economy Athenian Economy ContinuedContinued

• Athenians bought and sold goods at a huge Athenians bought and sold goods at a huge market place called agoramarket place called agora

• Merchants would sell there goods at small Merchants would sell there goods at small standsstands

• People bought lettuce, onions, olive oil, wine People bought lettuce, onions, olive oil, wine and other foodsand other foods

• People also bought pottery, furniture and oil People also bought pottery, furniture and oil lampslamps

• Most Athenians made their clothes at home, Most Athenians made their clothes at home, but leather sandals and jewelry were also but leather sandals and jewelry were also popular items at the market placepopular items at the market place

• Slaves were also sold at agoraSlaves were also sold at agora

Athenian EconomyAthenian Economyand Moneyand Money

• Like most city-states, Athens developed Like most city-states, Athens developed its own coins to make trade easierits own coins to make trade easier

• Coins were made of metal such as, Coins were made of metal such as, silver, gold and bronzesilver, gold and bronze

• Athenians decorated the flat sides of Athenians decorated the flat sides of the coinsthe coins

• One of the coins had a picture of the One of the coins had a picture of the god Athene, on the other side of the god Athene, on the other side of the coin was her favorite bird, the owlcoin was her favorite bird, the owl

Education in AthensEducation in Athens

• Athenian democracy depended on having Athenian democracy depended on having good citizensgood citizens

• Athenians believed that producing good Athenians believed that producing good citizens was the main purpose of educationcitizens was the main purpose of education

• Since only boys grew up to become citizens, Since only boys grew up to become citizens, boys and girls were educated differentlyboys and girls were educated differently

• Athenians believed that a good citizen had a Athenians believed that a good citizen had a sharp mind and a healthy bodysharp mind and a healthy body

• Education meant physical training and book Education meant physical training and book learninglearning

Steps to the Educational Steps to the Educational Process in AthensProcess in Athens

• Until age 6 or 7 boys were taught in the Until age 6 or 7 boys were taught in the home by their mothers or male slaveshome by their mothers or male slaves

• From ages 6 to 14 boys went to schoolFrom ages 6 to 14 boys went to school• In school, teachers taught reading, In school, teachers taught reading,

writing, math and literaturewriting, math and literature• Books were rare and expensive so they Books were rare and expensive so they

were read aloud in the classroom and were read aloud in the classroom and the boys had to memorize everythingthe boys had to memorize everything

• To help learn the boys used writing To help learn the boys used writing tabletstablets

School ContinuedSchool Continued

• Coaches taught sports such as, wrestling Coaches taught sports such as, wrestling and gymnastics to strengthen the students and gymnastics to strengthen the students musclesmuscles

• Boys also studied musicBoys also studied music• At age 18, Athenian men began their At age 18, Athenian men began their

military trainingmilitary training• After their service, wealthy men might After their service, wealthy men might

study with private teachersstudy with private teachers• These teachers were expensive but taught These teachers were expensive but taught

the men about public speaking, debate and the men about public speaking, debate and politicspolitics

A Girl’s EducationA Girl’s Education

• Most girls did not learn to read or writeMost girls did not learn to read or write• Girls grew up helping their mothers around the Girls grew up helping their mothers around the

househouse• They were taught to cook, clean, spin thread and They were taught to cook, clean, spin thread and

weave clothweave cloth• Some girls learned ancient secret songs and Some girls learned ancient secret songs and

dances for religious festivalsdances for religious festivals• Girls usually married by age 15Girls usually married by age 15• Wealthy families chose husbands for their Wealthy families chose husbands for their

daughtersdaughters• Girls from poor families often had a choice Girls from poor families often had a choice

Women and Slaves in Women and Slaves in AthensAthens

• Women and slaves had fewer rights than men Women and slaves had fewer rights than men because they were not citizensbecause they were not citizens

• Athenian women could not inherit or own Athenian women could not inherit or own propertyproperty

• They could not vote or attend the AssemblyThey could not vote or attend the Assembly• A few women had jobs like selling goods in A few women had jobs like selling goods in

the marketthe market• Some women could become priestessesSome women could become priestesses• But most women had their greatest influence But most women had their greatest influence

on the homeon the home

Athenian Women Athenian Women continuedcontinued

• Athenian women had separate rooms Athenian women had separate rooms in the house and could not go out in the house and could not go out alonealone

• She would spin, weave and She would spin, weave and supervise the slavessupervise the slaves

• She also educated her young sons She also educated her young sons and daughters until they were and daughters until they were marriedmarried

Athenian SlavesAthenian Slaves• There were many slaves in ancient AthensThere were many slaves in ancient Athens• Most people who were not poor owned at least one Most people who were not poor owned at least one

slaveslave• Some slaves were born into slavery and other were Some slaves were born into slavery and other were

prisoners of warprisoners of war• Slaves performed many jobs, including tasks that Slaves performed many jobs, including tasks that

required a lot of skillrequired a lot of skill• Some slaves ran households and tutored childrenSome slaves ran households and tutored children• Some slaves were trained craftsmen or skilled at Some slaves were trained craftsmen or skilled at

working on farmsworking on farms• Some slaves even worked as city clerksSome slaves even worked as city clerks• The most unlucky slaves worked in the silver mines, The most unlucky slaves worked in the silver mines,

which meant they worked 10 hour days cramped in which meant they worked 10 hour days cramped in tunnels 300 feet below the surface. They had little tunnels 300 feet below the surface. They had little air and were often whipped.air and were often whipped.

Spartan GovernmentSpartan Government

• Spartan’s government was very different from Spartan’s government was very different from AthensAthens

• Sparta was more like an oligarchy, although Sparta was more like an oligarchy, although they had an Assembly, their laws were decided they had an Assembly, their laws were decided on by a small group called the Council of Elderson by a small group called the Council of Elders

• The Council of Elders was made up of 2 kings The Council of Elders was made up of 2 kings and 28 menand 28 men

• The two kings inherited the position and shared The two kings inherited the position and shared equal powersequal powers

• The other 28 members were elected by the The other 28 members were elected by the AssemblyAssembly

Sparta Government Sparta Government ContinuedContinued

• To be elected to the Council of To be elected to the Council of Elders, men had to be at least 60 Elders, men had to be at least 60 years old and from a noble familyyears old and from a noble family

• Some historians believed Assembly Some historians believed Assembly men shouted for the man they wanted men shouted for the man they wanted in the Council the most, whoever had in the Council the most, whoever had the loudest shouts would win a the loudest shouts would win a position position

• Council men served for the remainder Council men served for the remainder of their livesof their lives

The Council of the EldersThe Council of the Elders

• The Council of Elders held the real power in The Council of Elders held the real power in SpartaSparta

• It prepared laws for the assembly to vote on, It prepared laws for the assembly to vote on, and it could stop any laws passed by the and it could stop any laws passed by the Assembly that it didn’t likeAssembly that it didn’t like

• The Assembly and the Council was made up of The Assembly and the Council was made up of only menonly men

• The Assembly did not debate issues like the The Assembly did not debate issues like the Assembly in AthensAssembly in Athens

• Members of the Spartan Assembly only voted Members of the Spartan Assembly only voted yes or no yes or no

Spartan EconomySpartan Economy

• While the Athenian economy relied While the Athenian economy relied on trade the Spartans relied on on trade the Spartans relied on farming and conquering other peoplefarming and conquering other people

• Sparta did not have enough land to Sparta did not have enough land to feed its people, so Sparta took the feed its people, so Sparta took the land it needed from its neighborsland it needed from its neighbors

• Spartan men spent their lives as Spartan men spent their lives as warriors and so slaves and non warriors and so slaves and non citizens farmed and produced citizens farmed and produced needed goodsneeded goods

Spartan Economy Spartan Economy ContinuedContinued

• Spartans would turn their captured Spartans would turn their captured neighbors into slaves, called helotsneighbors into slaves, called helots

• Helots continued to live in their villages but Helots continued to live in their villages but they had to turn over much of their food to they had to turn over much of their food to the Spartansthe Spartans

• The Spartans also made use of non citizens, The Spartans also made use of non citizens, called periokoicalled periokoi

• Periokoi were not slaves but they could not Periokoi were not slaves but they could not take part in governmenttake part in government

• Sometimes Periokoi would fight in battles Sometimes Periokoi would fight in battles but mostly they made necessary goods for but mostly they made necessary goods for Sparta like, red cloaks, shoes, tools, weapons Sparta like, red cloaks, shoes, tools, weapons and potteryand pottery

Spartans and TradeSpartans and Trade

• Spartans did some trading for goods but not Spartans did some trading for goods but not nearly as much as the Atheniansnearly as much as the Athenians

• In general, Spartans discouraged trade In general, Spartans discouraged trade because they did not want their people to be because they did not want their people to be influenced by other city-states, they felt this influenced by other city-states, they felt this would ruin their government and way of lifewould ruin their government and way of life

• Sparta did not use coins, instead they used Sparta did not use coins, instead they used heavy iron bars as moneyheavy iron bars as money

• Legend has it, a Spartan leader decided to Legend has it, a Spartan leader decided to make it heavy and bulky so it would be hard make it heavy and bulky so it would be hard to stealto steal

Education in SpartaEducation in Sparta

• The purpose of education in Sparta was The purpose of education in Sparta was to produce men and women who could to produce men and women who could protect the city-stateprotect the city-state

• If a baby did not appear to be healthy If a baby did not appear to be healthy and strong it would be left to dieand strong it would be left to die

• Spartans valued discipline and strengthSpartans valued discipline and strength• From the age of 7, all Spartan children From the age of 7, all Spartan children

were trained to fightwere trained to fight• Even girls received some military Even girls received some military

trainingtraining

Spartan Education Spartan Education ContinuedContinued

• Students learned wrestling, boxing, Students learned wrestling, boxing, footracing and gymnasticsfootracing and gymnastics

• Spartan men lived and trained in Spartan men lived and trained in buildings called barracksbuildings called barracks

• They were taught to read and write They were taught to read and write but Spartans did not think those skills but Spartans did not think those skills were very importantwere very important

• What was important was to be a brave What was important was to be a brave soldiersoldier

Boys in SpartaBoys in Sparta

Video: Video: Training of a WarriorTraining of a Warrior• Spartan boys were taught to take pain without Spartan boys were taught to take pain without

complainingcomplaining• Boys would march for hours and days without Boys would march for hours and days without

shoesshoes• They were not fed well during their training They were not fed well during their training

and they were taught to steal food as long as and they were taught to steal food as long as they did not get caughtthey did not get caught

• At the age of 20 the men were given a difficult At the age of 20 the men were given a difficult fitness test, if they passed they became fitness test, if they passed they became Spartan soldiers and citizensSpartan soldiers and citizens

• Even if they passed they still lived and trained Even if they passed they still lived and trained in barracks until the age of at least 30in barracks until the age of at least 30

Women in SpartaWomen in Sparta

• Spartan women lived the same simple life Spartan women lived the same simple life as Spartan menas Spartan men

• They wore plain clothing with little They wore plain clothing with little decorationdecoration

• They did not wear jewelry, perfume or They did not wear jewelry, perfume or cosmetics like women in other city-statescosmetics like women in other city-states

• Like men, they were expected to be Like men, they were expected to be strong, healthy and ready to fightstrong, healthy and ready to fight

• A women was expected to look after her A women was expected to look after her husbands property in times of warhusbands property in times of war

• She also had to guard against invaders She also had to guard against invaders and revolts from slavesand revolts from slaves

Spartan Women Spartan Women ContinuedContinued

• Spartan women had more rights Spartan women had more rights than women in other city-statesthan women in other city-states

• They were free to speak with friends They were free to speak with friends of their husbandsof their husbands

• They could own and control their They could own and control their own propertyown property

• They could even marry another man They could even marry another man if there husband was at war too longif there husband was at war too long

Spartan SlavesSpartan Slaves

• The slaves or helots were people who had The slaves or helots were people who had been captured by the Spartansbeen captured by the Spartans

• There were more helots than citizens in There were more helots than citizens in SpartaSparta

• The Spartans were afraid the helots The Spartans were afraid the helots would revolt so they treated them harshlywould revolt so they treated them harshly

• The government often declared war on The government often declared war on the helots so they could kill any that the helots so they could kill any that might rebelmight rebel

War on the HelotsWar on the Helots

• At one period of time the Spartan At one period of time the Spartan government asked the helots to government asked the helots to choose their best fighterschoose their best fighters

• They said these men would be set They said these men would be set free as thanks for their hard workfree as thanks for their hard work

• Two thousand helots were chosenTwo thousand helots were chosen• The Spartans immediately killed The Spartans immediately killed

everyone of themeveryone of them

Helots had Rights?Helots had Rights?

• Helots actually had some rightsHelots actually had some rights• They could marry whomever they They could marry whomever they

wantedwanted• They could pass their names onto their They could pass their names onto their

childrenchildren• They could sell any extra crops they They could sell any extra crops they

ownedowned• If they saved enough money, they could If they saved enough money, they could

even buy their freedomeven buy their freedom