Download Ancient Greece Review- Quest 5/27 - Hewlett

Ancient Greece Review- Quest 5/27
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Athenian Government
The Athenian government was a democracy. This meant every citizen could talk part in the city’s
government. Women and slaves were not citizens.
A group known as the Council of 500 met daily, to discuss the day-to-day business and suggest new
laws.
To be a member of the Council, men had to be 30 or older. 500 men were selected randomly each year
to participate.
While the Council suggested laws, a group known as the Assembly approved them. Each Assembly
meeting required at least 6000 citizens to attend. If there were not enough, slaves would be forced to
round up more citizens and douse them in red paint.
Every citizen had the right to speak at Assembly meetings.
Spartan Government
Sparta’s government was an oligarchy. This meant the power was in the hands of a few people.
This group was also known as the Council of Elders The Elders were made up of 2 kings, and 28 other
men.
To be elected to the Council of Elders, men had to be at least 60 years old, and from a noble family.
People were elected based on who received the loudest support. Once elected, they served for life.
There was also an Assembly in Sparta, however, the Council of Elders could overturn any decision the
Assembly made.
Athenian Economy
The Athenian economy was based on trade. Because Athens was near the sea, trade was convenient for
them.
Athenians traded goods such as honey, olive oil, silver and pottery, in exchange for wood and grain, and
anything else they needed.
Athenians bought and sold goods at a marketplace known as an agora.
Athens used coins as currency, made of gold, silver, and bronze.
Spartan Economy
Unlike Athens, the Spartans discouraged trade. Instead they relied on farming and conquering their
neighbors.
Spartans turned the people they conquered into slaves, or helots. The helots had to give the majority of
the food they grew to Spartan Citizens.
The Spartans also made use of non-citizens, called periokoi. They might serve in the army or make
necessary items, but they could never serve in Sparta’s government.
Sparta used heavy iron bars as currency.
They discouraged trade because they believed it could lead to new ideas developing.
Athenian Education
Athenians believed that a good citizen had a sharp mind and a healthy body.
From ages 6 to 14, boys went to school. They learned reading, writing, arithmetic, and literature.
They also learned from Coaches how to wrestle and do gymnastics.
At age 18, boys began military training. After their service, boys may study with private teachers that
could help them with debating and public speaking, so that they could eventually become political
leaders.
Girls grew up helping their mothers around the house. They did not learn to read or write. But they did
learn to cook, clean, spin thread, and weave cloth.
Spartan Education
The purpose of Spartan education was to produce men and women who could protect the city-state.
They valued discipline and strength.
Children learned to read and write but these were not valued skills.
Spartan boys were taught to endure any amount of physical pain. They walked without shoes, and were
intentionally starved in order to toughen them up.
Spartan children began training for combat at age 7.
Spartan men could not live outside of the barracks until they were 30 years old.
Women and Slaves in Athens
Women and slaves had far less rights than free men did.
Women could not inherit or own much property. They couldn’t vote, or even choose their own
husbands. Their job was to educate their sons until they were 6 or 7, and their daughters until they were
15 and ready to be married.
An Athenian wife had a separate room at home, and was not allowed to leave alone.
Some Athenian slaves were born into slavery. Others became slaves when they were captured in war.
Slaves performed a wide variety of jobs in Athens. They might teach children or actually run the
households they served in. Some trained as craftsmen, some worked in farms/fields or factories.
Some worked in silver mines, if they weren’t working up to their master’s expectations they might be
whipped if they stopped to rest.
Women and Slaves in Sparta
Spartan women lived the same life as Spartan men. They were expected to be strong and healthy and
ready to fight. Women looked after their husband’s property when men were away at war.
Unlike Athenian women, Spartan women were allowed to speak with their husbands friends. They could
own and control their own property. They could even remarry if their husband was away for an
extended period of time.
Spartan slaves or helots were treated very harshly.
The Spartans were afraid the helots would rebel so they often declared war on them. Then they would
kill any slaves they felt were a threat to revolt
The Spartans would even lie to the helots in order to get them to select their best fighters. Then the
Spartans would kill these men as a way of intimidation.
Slaves in Sparta did have some rights though; they could buy their own freedom, and could sell their
extra crops. They could also marry whomever they wanted.