Download File - Mr. C at Hamilton

Mr. Cistaro / Mr. C
ANCIENT ATHENS AND SPARTA
XAIRETE
 Welcome to Ancient Athens & Sparta.
Our World
Athens and Sparta
 During the 5th century BC, Greece was dominated
by two main powers: democratic Athens and the
military oligarchy of Sparta.
 These city-states were very different.
 Sparta was traditionally the great land power of the
Greek world and controlled many neighboring
territories whose populations were tied to the land
as slaves.
 Athens' power was based upon its command of the
sea, and though it was officially only head of a naval
alliance (the Delian League), in practice this
amounted to an empire in all but name.
Athens - GOVERNMENT
 Eventually the Athenian government developed into a
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direct democracy.
In a direct democracy all citizens vote on major issues
instead of electing representatives to do it for them.
As a result, this governmental system required frequent
meetings of the Athenians to vote on important issues.
These meetings often entailed debates among the citizens
over policy decisions, such as going to war against another
city-state.
Athens' direct democracy served as an important step
toward individual freedom and the involvement of
individuals in the decision-making process of the
government.
 However, only FREE males, over the age of 18, could vote.
Athens - VALUES
 Cultural advancement, balance, order,
education, and debate were all very
important as was citizen-participation in the
government.
 Even though Athens was a democracy there
were slaves and women could not vote, hold
office, or inherit property.
Sparta - GOVERNMENT
 Sparta's government was basically an oligarchy, which is a
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government controlled by a small group of people.
Often times at meetings the group that was able to shout
the loudest would be the ones who won a vote or had their
policy accepted.
The Spartan government was mostly concerned with
ensuring that the city-state had a powerful military
machine to protect itself from outside invasion and to
conquer others.
The government also forbade its citizen to travel abroad
and did not often accept visitors.
They feared that outside contact would weaken the
discipline of the population.
Sparta - VALUES
 Above all, the Spartans valued strength and virility.
 Babies that did not appear strong were often discarded.
 Since strength was valued over intellect and
academic achievement the Spartans made few
cultural contributions to Western Civilization.
 BUT, the areas where they did influence have stayed
with us till today.
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‘Spartan’ & ‘Laconic’
Witty Comebacks
Governmental Structure
Military (Barracks, etc.)
Athens
Athens
Athens
Athens
Athens
Unique Things About Athens
 Ostracism (ὀστρακισμός)
 Under the Athenian democracy in which any
citizen could be expelled from the city-state of
Athens for ten years.
 While some instances clearly expressed popular
anger at the citizen, ostracism was often used
preemptively. It was used as a way of neutralizing
someone thought to be a threat to the state or
potential tyrant.
Unique Things About Athens
 Ostracism (ὀστρακισμός)
 Pericles
 Cimon
 Aristides
Ostracism (ὀστρακισμός)
 Broken pottery, abundant and virtually free,
served as a kind of scrap paper.
 Each year the Athenians were asked in the
assembly whether they wished to hold an
ostracism.
 According to Plutarch, the ostracism was
considered valid if the total number of votes
cast was at least 6,000.
Ostracism (ὀστρακισμός)
 The person nominated had ten days to leave
the city.
 If he attempted to return, the penalty was
death.
 The property of the man banished was not
confiscated and there was no loss of status.
 After the ten years, he was allowed to return
without stigma
For Next Time
 Build a cardboard shield.
 Round with an upside-down “V” on it.
 Try and make it as big as you can, 2-3 feet?
 Check the class website