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Sparta vs. Athens
Athens
The Athenian democratic government gave the citizens in Greece more freedom. The democracy in Athens
cannot be called a modern democracy. Only ten percent of the total population of Athens had voting rights and
all of these citizens were upper class men who were over thirty years old. Women, no matter what their class or
age, were given no freedoms at all. They were owned by their fathers and then passed to their husbands who
then gave them the responsibilities of managing the household and educating the children.
Life was good in Athens, but the Athenians were often ridiculed by other countries and other city-states for not
being brave. Athens was repeatedly attacked since Athenians didn’t have a war-like reputation.
Sparta
In the city-state of Sparta, the government was controlled by an oligarchy in which the power was held by a
group of five men called ephors. The Spartans gave up some comforts for a strong military. This approach
turned Sparta into an effective, deadly war machine. Over the years, the Spartans’ ruthless reputation in war
grew, so that other nations and city-states chose not to attack Sparta. The Spartan men in the army started their
military training at the age of seven and were trained to be tough and very self-sufficient. Every man in the
army fought with a great deal of passion for his country.
Unlike other Greek women, Spartan women had equal rights with men, except for voting rights. Since men
were in the military and often away from home, the women had full authority over their households.
Women: Sparta vs. Athens
The Spartan Female
Spartan women enjoyed more freedoms and power than others throughout ancient Greece. While they played no
role in the military, female Spartans often received an education, although separate from boys. Females took
part in athletic competitions, and also sang and danced. As adults, Spartan women were allowed to own and
manage property.
Young girls were given physical training to make sure they would have strong and healthy children to become
soldiers. This education also involved teaching women that their lives should be dedicated to the state. In most
Greek states, women were required to stay indoor much of the time; Spartan women, however, were free to
move about, and had an unusual amount of freedom from their husbands.
The Athenian Female
Athenian-born women could own property. Women in ancient Athens had respect as caregivers and home
managers, but they had little independence. Men accompanied them outside the house and approved most
purchases. Most of a woman’s time was spent at home — cooking, cleaning, weaving and caring for children,
or organizing slaves to do these jobs. Women could not hold government positions or vote.
Women in Sparta were disallowed from wearing any types of cosmetics or makeup. Jewelry was another big
‘no-no’ for Spartan women. Women were judged on their physical and athletic ability... On the contrary,
Athenian women were judged heavily on their beauty. Cosmetics were common. Elaborate and expensive
jewelry and fancy clothing were worn.
Growing Up: Athens vs. Sparta
Training the Spartan Boy
As soon as a child was born in Sparta, its father brought it to the elders, who inspected the newborn infant
carefully. If they found that the child was deformed or weakly, the baby was killed....
When the child reached the age of 8, the agoge, a military type education began. They were trained in
gymnastics, running, jumping, throwing of spear, and also taught to endure pain, hunger, thirst, cold, and lack
of sleep. They walked without shoes, bathed in cold waters, and were dressed through winter and summer with
the same piece of cloth. They did not use blankets and slept on top of plants….As for proper education, they
were taught only the basics of how to read and write. They also learned military poems and war songs.
...At the age of twenty, the Agoge ended, and the military service of the Spartan begun. At twenty, most of the
men got married. At the age of thirty, the Spartan became a citizen with full rights and responsibilities.
Training the Athenian Boy
Athenian democracy depended on having well-prepared citizens. People in Athens believed that producing good
citizens was the main purpose of education. Since only boys could grow up to be citizens, boys and girls were
educated quite differently. Athenians believed that a good citizen should have both an intelligent mind and a
healthy body. Therefore, book learning and physical training were important. Boys were taught at home by their
mothers or slaves until the age of 6 or 7. Then, boys went to school until about the age of 14. Teachers taught
reading, writing, arithmetic, and literature. To build boys’ strength, coaches taught sports such as wrestling and
gymnastics.
At 18, Athenian men began their military training. After their army service, wealthy young men might study
with private teachers. These teachers gave lessons in debating and public speaking that would help young men
become future political leaders.
Training the Spartan Girl
Girls were educated at age 7 in reading and writing, gymnastics, athletics and survival skills. Could participate
in sports; treated more as equals.
Training the Athenian Girl
Girls received little education; they were generally kept at home and had no political power in Athens. The
education of a girl involved spinning, weaving, and other domestic art.