Rival City-States:Sparta vs. Athens

Athens and Sparta were probably the two

most famous and powerful city states in

Ancient Greece.

However, they were both very different.

Sparta

“Come back with your shield or on it”

Development

• Located on the Peloponnesus Peninsula

• Conquered neighboring region & took over land

• Created militaristic society

Spartan Society • 3 social groups• Citizens: descended from the

invaders, controlled Sparta (only 5%)

• Perioci: free men, paid taxes & served in the army but had no political power

• Helots: slaves, greatly outnumbered the other groups; Spartans used force to control them

• Founded on the principle that the life of EVERY INDIVIDUAL belonged to the state

Government

• Militaristic Oligarchy• Two kings led Sparta

–1 king handled military–1 king took care of domestic matters

Government

• Council of Elders• 28 male citizens over the age of 60

• Proposed laws & served as a criminal court

• Assembly• Included all male citizens over age of 30; voted on laws

Government

• Life revolved around army (no need for walls! Army will defend!)

• All men aspired to become soldiers

• Newborn infants were examined

• Healthy = lived• Sickly = left to die on hillside

Military Society

• Primary purpose was to produce soldiers!

• Military training began at age 7 for boys

• Became soldiers at age 20

• Served until age 60

Education/Training

• Trained to read, write & use weapons

• Taught to steal, but not get caught

• Harsh training: no shoes, sometimes no clothing

Education/Training

• Life’s ambition was to be a soldier’s mother

• Women were expected to be healthy & strong so that they could bear strong children

• Trained in gymnastics, wrestling & boxing

Spartan Women

• Although they were respected in Spartan society, women COULD NOT participate in government

Spartan Women

• Exceptional athletes, competed well in the Olympics, & defended Greece against invaders

• BUT…

Impact of Military Society

• …discouraged trade & shunned philosophy, science, literature, & the arts

• No individual freedom• Little economic growth

Impact of Military Society

Athens

• Located on the Attica Peninsula (north of Sparta)

• Descended from the Mycenaeans

Development

Social Class• Citizens:

• All free men born in Athens (50%)

• Metics:• Born outside Athens• No land, but paid taxes• Slaves: Captured in war,

considered property

Government

• Assembly:• Passed laws

& decided public issues

• ALL free men over the age of 18 could participate

• It was considered their public duty

Government

• Council of 500• Drafted &

proposed laws• Oversaw meetings of the

assembly• Members chosen by lottery

once a year

Government

• Ostracism:• If a

politician’s name appeared on 6,000 ostraca they would be EXILED!!!

Government

• Only boys were given an education

• Entered school at 7; graduated at 18

• Studied arithmetic, drawing, music, gymnastics, rhetoric, literature (Iliad & Odyssey), etc.

Education/Training

Education/Training• At age 18 men

served in the military for 2 years

• Ephebic Oath:• Pledge of loyalty to

Athens & to good citizenship

• No formal education; learned household duties from mother

• Married between 13-15 • Primary purpose was to have

children

Athenian Women

• Wore clothes to depict their status in society

• No legal rights• Could not

participate in government, or go to the market or the Olympics

Athenian Women

• Democracy, philosophy, architecture, drama, art…

Athenian Legacy