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ATHENS and SPARTA
ATHENS
Athens, a port on the Aegean Sea, was a major trade center. It traded goods such as olive
oil and grapes for much needed wheat. Athens developed a strong navy. Large fleets of
fighting ships called triremes defended Athens. A city wall almost 7 feet thick and 23 feet
tall protected the city-state.
Triremes
In ancient Athens, the purpose of education was to produce citizens trained in the arts and to prepare
citizens for both peace and war. As a cultural center of ancient Greece, Athens attracted the best artists and
scholars. Athenians developed new ideas about architecture, art, literature, philosophy, politics and science.
Athens developed the world’s first democracy, which many of the other Greek city-states used as their form
of government as well.
Athenian Boys
Homer
From age 7 to 12, boys went to school to learn writing, literature, philosophy, math,
history, public speaking, government, drama, art, painting and music. Books were very
expensive and rare, so subjects were read out-loud, and the boys had to memorize
everything. They had to learn two important things - the words of Homer (a famous Greek
epic poet) and how to play a musical instrument. Their teacher was always a man. Following
primary school, boys attended a higher school for 4 more years. When they turned 18, they
entered military school for 2 additional years. At age 20, they graduated and often served as
a soldier for at least one year.
Athenian Girls
Girls were not educated at school. Most girls learned household chores from their mothers. In
wealthier families, mothers would teach their daughters how to read and write in the comfort of their
courtyard. The girls were often married at the age of 15.
SPARTA
Sparta was located in an inland valley 150 miles away from Athens. High mountains formed a natural
wall protecting the city-state. Spartans disapproved of trade and contact with outsiders. Male citizens
received a plot of land to farm, but they also had to be soldiers.
Sparta had the strongest army in the ancient world. Spartans believed in a life of discipline, self-denial,
and simplicity. They were very loyal to the state of Sparta. Every Spartan, male or female, was required to
have a perfect body. When babies were born in ancient Sparta, Spartan soldiers would come by the house
and check the baby. If the baby did not appear healthy and strong, the infant was taken away, and left to die
on a hillside, or taken away to be trained as a slave (a helot). Babies who passed this test were assigned
membership in a brotherhood or sisterhood. Sparta was the only city-state that did not develop a democratic
government. Two kings, who were also army commanders, led it. Only men born in Sparta could be
citizens. Women were not citizens, but could own land.
Sparta was not famous for beautiful buildings or works of art because they did not believe in luxuries.
Sparta is remembered for its army.
Spartan Boys
Spartan boys were educated and were sent to military school at age 7. They trained
and slept in their barracks of their brotherhood. Although students were taught to read and
write, those skills were not very important to the ancient Spartans. They emphasized on
physical and military training. At school, they were taught survival skills and other skills
necessary to be a great soldier. Only warfare mattered. The boys marched without shoes to
make them strong. It was a brutal training period. Boys had to be in the army until the age 30 at least.
Spartan soldiers spent most of their lives with their fellow soldiers. Even if they were married, they did not
live with their wives and families.
Spartan Girls
In Sparta, the girls lived, slept and trained in their sisterhood's barracks. They also went to school at
age 7, but did not go to learn how to read or write. The girls were taught wrestling, gymnastics, and combat
skills. The Spartans believed that strong young women would produce strong babies. As in Athens, the
mothers taught their daughters household chores.
Since the men and women were separated in barracks, the Spartan women did not have restrictions.
They had more freedoms and responsibilities in public life. They were able to go out in public unescorted,
participate in athletic contests, and inherit land.
Comparing
Athens and Sparta
Directions: Compare and Contrast the city states of Athens and Sparta. Write the facts in the correct section
of the Venn-diagram. Refer back to your article for help.
ATHENS
SPARTA
Directions: Compare and Contrast how the boys and girls of Athens and Sparta lived in Ancient Greece.
Write the facts in the correct section of the Venn-diagram. Refer back to your article for help.
ATHENIAN boys and girls
SPARTAN boys and girls
Ancient Greece
After reading Athens and Sparta
1. What did the Athenians build to protect the city?
2. Who were the citizens of ancient Greece?
3. What are some topics the boys learned in school?
WRITE …
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Sparta or Athens
Had a strong navy
Had a strong army
Known for their arts and architecture
Known for strength
Women would be in public
Women stayed mostly indoors
Had a democracy
Had kings
Write Below:
Which an Ancient Greek city-state would you prefer to have lived in Sparta or Athens?
Use facts to support your reasons. Also, be ready to debate which civilization was
better.