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SPARTA/ATHENS NOTES
SPARTA
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Originated around 1100 BCE, when invaders from the north (Caucasus) overran the
Peloponnesus region and forced people into slavery
o Slaves known as Helots
Invaders conquered a village that became known as Sparta
Sparta was located in a valley, and was not surrounded by any walls for defense (indicator #1 of military
society)
Spartan Social Division
Sparta had 3 Social Groups (similar to most civilizations; upper, lower, middle)
1. Equals- descendants from the invaders; controlled the city-state. Land divided between citizens
2. Half-Citizens- Free, tax-paying citizens who could not have any political power. (Middle class)
3. Helots- lowest class. Slaves that greatly outnumbered the Spartans (indicator #2 of military society)
- Spartans had to build up military due to fear of Helot revolution
Spartan Government
Sparta’s government contained several chambers, with different numbers of leaders in each chamber
2 KINGS
COUNCIL OF ELDERS (28 Male Citizens over 60)
ASSEMBLY (All Male Citizens 30+ years old)
Ephors- 5 elected, served 1-year term
1 for military, 1 responsible for matters pertaining
to city
Wealthy, aristocrats that proposed laws and
served as the criminal court.
Voted to accept/reject laws that were brought
forth by the council of elders
Ephors regulated the Kings, controlled Spartan
education
Spartan Lifestyle
Spartan lifestyle was dominated by the military prevalence within their society
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At age 7 Boys left home to live in military barracks (also learned reading and writing)
From 18-20 Spartan men trained specifically for war
Age 20:Military Service Begins
o Could marry at 20, could not live at home until 30
o Could not partake in trade/business endeavors
o Military service ended at 60
ATHENS
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Located on Attic Peninsula (incredibly rocky, infertile region)
Because of their geography, Athens relied heavily on sea trade to form their economic identity
Athenian Society
CITIZENS (could be rich or poor)
METICS- non citizens born outside of Athens
Slaves
Early Governmental Structure
Working class, Athenian-born men who could have
political rights. No women
Free, paid taxes, no government say
War prisoners, were sometimes freed
Athenian government quickly adopted an aristocracy after the end of their monarchy.
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Only land-owning citizens held public office
All adult male citizens met in the assembly (similar to congress)
Assembly elected generals, as well as 9 archons (representatives) to serve 1-year terms
o Draco was an Athenian archon who was the first to record written law
o Laws were extremely severe (origins of term Draconian Law)
In Athenian Society, if you grew poor you could be sold into slavery in order to pay off your debt. This
resulted in a large disparity between the wealthy and the poor and resulted in social discontent in Athens.
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Solon (Archon in 594 BCE) settled disputes between those who owed and those who were owed by
erasing the debts of the poor and outlawing slavery for debt.
Solon freed people who had become slaves (quote on pg. 115)
Solon also attempted to reorganize Athenian government, getting rid of birthright enrollment
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Divided citizens into 4 groups based on wealth
2 wealthiest groups could hold public office
All citizens could sit in assembly that elected the officials
Solon est’d court that was made up of citizen jurors (some say in g’vt for low class)
These changes did not help Athens as the wealthy were still in power
Athenian Democracy
507 BCE- Cleisthenes seized power in Athens and restored Athens back to a democratic government
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Athens’ citizens were divided into 10 different tribes
Each tribe selected 50 men that formed the Council of 500
o Members served 2 1-year terms; couldn’t be elected more than 2x
Jurors were chosen by lot (each candidate could campaign for assignment)
Direct Democracy took place under Cleisthenes, meaning all citizens directly participated in
government
Economy of Athens
Despite rough terrain, the majority of Athenian citizens were farmers
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Grew olives, grapes, figs
Used terraced farming (digging out flat plains on hills)
Remember, Greece was not a unified country with a single government throughout the entire region, so
Athenians were heavily reliant on trading overseas
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Athenian farmers, merchants were sent to establish overseas colonies throughout the
Mediterranean region (map on pg. 118)
Goods were imported(brought in) from other regions, and exported (sent out from Athens),
which set up a trade-based economy
Social Aspects of Athenian Culture
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Most Athenians lived in simple homes
Belief: money should be spent on community/public structures
Marriages were arranged; women wed at 13/14 years old to man much older
If family couldn’t afford to raise child (especially female) it was left to die
Women: socially and legally inferior to men
o Couldn’t own property
o Stayed out of sight when men had guests
Education
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Mother took care of children until 6 years old
At age 7, boys were now under the care of pedagogues, or male slave responsible with teaching
the boys manners and proper behavior
400 BCE- Sophists opened up schools for older boys.
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Sophists taught government, mathematics, ethics (deals with what is right/wrong) and rhetoric
(study of oration, public speaking, debate)
At age 18- Athenian males received 1 year of military training. Young men who could afford armor
served as members of the center of the infantry.