Download 6-4 Sparta Athens Answers

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Chapter 6 Section 4 “Sparta and Athens”
Reading Comprehension Questions
Directions: After reading Chapter 6 Section 4 on pages 188-193, answer the questions in the spaces
provided below.
1. What was the basic rule that governed Sparta’s city-state?
Always put the city’s needs above your own.
2. How did Sparta become a powerful war machine?
Sparta devoted most of its resources to war and military training.
3. How would you describe the life of a young boy in ancient Sparta?
Boys were trained to be soldiers from age 7 to 20. The training was difficult, and boys
were taught to steal food to survive and to bear all kinds of hardship without complaining.
4. What was life like for the women of Sparta?
Spartan women had rights that were denied to Athenian women. For example, they could
own some property and take part in business. They were also trained to be strong and
healthy.
5. How did the relationship between different Greek city-states change as a result of the Persian
invasion?
The city-states were distracted from fighting with one another in order to present a
united front against Persia.
6. What happened during the battle at Marathon?
The Athenians, who were outnumbered by the Persians, surprised their enemy by
attacking without warning. As a result, the Athenians won the battle.
7. How did the Spartans finally defeat the Athenians?
When Athens was recovering from the plague, Sparta blockaded their harbors so they
could not receive food shipments. The Athenians surrendered.
8. Brainstorm at least three ways in which life was different in Sparta from Athens.