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Comparing Sparta and Athens
The following charts are helpful in comparing the two city-states Athens and
Sparta. The first provides a general comparison; the second compares the
government of the Spartan monarchy with that of its democratic rival,
Athens.
Society
Sparta
Athens
Upper classes had all power and
privilege. Helots (slaves) did all
nonmilitary work.
All citizens were equal. Women and
slaves were excluded from becoming
citizens.
All Education focused on military
strategies and war.
Education focused on physical and
mental skills.
Government
Branch of
Government
Executive
Sparta
Athens
Two kings – One king was Archons- Nine archons
chosen to be commander with power limited by
in chief of the army each
the Assembly.
time the army was
needed.
Five Ephors- officials who
ran day to day affairs.
Legislative
1. Assembly- made up of 1. Assembly- all male
all citizens over 30 who
voted on the proposed
laws.
2. Council of Elders-
Judicial
citizens over the age
of 30 who debated
laws before deciding to
approve or reject
them.
made up of 28 members
over the age of 60. They
proposed laws to the
Assembly.
2. Council - 500
Kings acted as judges.
Court- very large
juries chosen by lot
who used secret
ballots to reach a
verdict.
citizens over the age
of 30 chosen by a lot
(drawing names) who
proposed laws to the
Assembly.
Governing the City States
Set-up
 Greek City-States were built on two
levels.
 On the first level stood the acropolis
(high city)
where marble temples dedicated to gods and goddesses
stood.
 The marketplace stood on flatter ground where free men
spent much of their time debating.
Early Government
 The earliest form of Government seen in city- states was a
Monarchy .
 A government where the king or queen exercises central
power.
Evolving Government
 Because noble landowners were the only people who could
afford bronze weapons and chariots they eventual took over
power leading Greece into an …
 Aristocracy- A form of government in which power is
held by the nobility.
 As trade expanded a new middle class of wealthy merchants
challenged the landowning nobles for power and came to
dominate some city-states.
 A government where power is in the hands of a small,
powerful elite is an Oligarchy
.
Changes in Warfare
 In 650 BCE iron weapons replaced bronze weapons.
 Because iron was cheap the defense of the city-state was in
the hands of ordinary people.
 Class differences were reduced and more power was given
to the people.
Spartan Monarchy
 2 kings – One king was chosen to be commander in chief of
the army each time the army was needed.
 5 Ephors- officials who ran day to day affairs.
 Council of Elders- made up of 28 members over the age of
60. They proposed laws to the Assembly.
 Assembly- made up of all citizens over 30 who voted on the
proposed laws.
Athenian Government
 Discontent led to Solon becoming the first archon (chief
official), but he was overpowered by tyrants
, or people
who gain power by force.
 Governing tyrants moved Athens into a Democracy setting
up a system of …
 Archons- Nine archons with power limited by the
Assembly.
 Council - 500 citizens over the age of 30 chosen by a
lot (drawing names) who proposed laws to the
Assembly.

Assembly
- all male citizens over the age of
30 who debated laws before deciding to approve or
reject them.
 Court- very large juries chosen by lot who used
secret ballots to reach a verdict.
 __Athenians________ could vote to banish public
officials seen as a threat to _democracy_____. This
was called __ostracism__.