Download Athens vs. Sparta - History Connections

Athens vs.
Sparta
A comparative analysis of
two City-States
Early Athens
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With the Emergence of early Athens: 800-400
B.C.E.
Rise of Democracy during the 5th century
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Monarchies forced aside by the Aristocratic
class: Gave rise to the Oligarchs in the early
500’s
Solon: Reformer, set up laws that were written
and could be revised.
510 Rebellion broke out: Cleisthenes( Aristocrat)
to gain control: However instability within the
aristocrats led to the rise of democracy in
Athens.
Athenian “Democracy”

“Town meetings
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Able to speak freely, persuade others to their
opinions: Collective votes determined political
actions.
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Only free white males assembled together
make decisions that affected the polis
Emergence of the Council of 500
Citizens were chosen for a term of 1yr
Responsible for making and implementing policies
Democratic principles were heavily emphasized
but only consisted of free white males

Women and Slaves: No political Power
Early Sparta
 7th
century B.C.E.
 Both Athens and Sparta were similar in
many ways
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However, Major rebellions in and around
Sparta influenced a highly Militaristic society
700’s: Spartans defeated Messenia ( CityState)
600’s Messenians challenged the Spartans:
Led to the Spartans grasping a tighter
control over the Military.
Sparta
 Military
Powerhouse
 Spartan Men Warriors
 Self Disciplined
 Rigidly obedient
 Emphasized Fitness for Both Men and
Women.
Economic Characteristics
Economic
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Ionia Rivers :Fertile plain near the
coast
Greek Farmers on mainland:
Depended on rainfall for their crops
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Poor Soil: Limited crop production
Planted barley, olive trees, grape
vines
Sheep, Goats were raised in most
areas
Cattle and Horses in Northern Greece
Trade:

Across the Aegean
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Coinage:
Significance: facilitated
Trade
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Natural Resources
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Building stones: Marble
Clay: Pottery
Very few metal deposits
Timber, gold, iron, copper
and tin.

Replaced inefficient systems
of weighing gold and silver :
exchange of goods.
Storage of wealth more
efficiant
Social Distinctions: Citizens vs.
Non Citizens
Sparta

Equal in Status
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Spartans were simple people
Frugal lifestyle: Did not accumulate
possessions
Houses were equally unadorned
Distinctions were made by military
and athletic Talent.
Spartan Boys: age of 7yrs
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Athens
Trained in military barracks
Maintained order and stability
through highly organized military
Trade and luxuries: seen as harmful
to their purity
Society maintained by Military
values

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Urban-based Aristocracy
Simple farmers
Distinction between aristocracy and the
commoners led to discontent and reform

Gave commoners: More Rights
Society was maintained by democratic
principles

Only Free male citizens could
participate making them more equal

Ironically: Divided free men vs. slaves.
( 30% of Pop made up of slaves)
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Divisions of labor in Athens: Personal
servants, Craftsman
Slaves held no political rights, nor
could they serve in the army
Gender Relations: Men and
Women
Sparta

Women were free and
equal to men
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Encouraged to be
physical fit as men:
Produce strong and
healthy babies
Wives did not live with
husbands ( Men were
often at war)
Sparta: Run by Women;
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While men were on the
war front.
Women maintained the
city state and household
Athens
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Gender inequality: Clearly Defined
Respectable Athenian women
 Confined to the home
 Ventured outside under the guardianship
of slaves and servants
Women in rural areas
 Had more Freedom
However, Athenian women: No political
rights, could not own property or businesses
 Citizens: however could not participate
in government affairs
 Other Athenian Women ( not upper
class): Particularly prostitutes
 Did not follow same rules and were
considered lower in class distinction.
Cultural Characteristics:
Philosophy/Religion
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Religion
 Polytheistic
 Not omnipotent
Carried same emotions as humans
 No priestly class
 Did not take their gods seriously
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Did not believe the gods
controlled human destiny

Emphasized : Secularism: affairs of
the world
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Led to seeking the answers to the
dilemmas of Human existence
Similar to Confucianism ?

Philosophy: “Love of Wisdom”
 Interested in the physical world
 Did not believe the Gods
caused natural phenomena
 Nature or Natural law caused
phenomena
Socrates: 470-399 b.c.e
 Focused on ethical questions and
truth seeking regarding human
nature.
 Rational of Human Nature: Ability
of humans to reason for themselves
 Convicted of” poisoning the minds
of young Athenian youths”
Trial of Socrates indicates the clash
between traditional religious
values and the emphasis on
human reasoning

Art: Drama, Lyric Poems,
Classical Architecture
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Drama: 600’s in
athens
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Representation of
myths about the
gods, interventions
with human affairs
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Lyric Poetry
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form of musical
quality of songs:
Express personal
feelings
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Architecture
Greek temples
Parthenon on the
Acropolis
Architecture: Widely
adopted by the
Romans
Legacy: Provided
the basic principles
of modern
architecture
Greek Sculpture

Reflect how they
valued worth of an
individual
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Revealed human
capabilities
Physically/Intellectua
lly
Depicted the
concept of Beauty
and Perfection
Expression
individualized
Achievements of the
Greeks during the
“classical age”
500-300 b.c.e
Hellenic culture:
Based on the
Greek term Hellas
Greeks Vs.
Persia
Comparative analysis
Greeks vs. Persia

Wars between both
civilizations sparked
rebellion in Ionia
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Xerxes
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Darius sent troops to put
down the rebellion
Athens aided the Greeks in
Ionia

Battle of Marathon490 b.c.e
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Darius sent an army to
punish the mainland of
Greece
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Outcome: Greeks won!
Defeated at the Battle
of Thermopylae in 480
Clash between Athens
and Persia trigger the
mind frame of the
modern clash between
the east and west
( natural enemies)
Outcome of the Persian Wars
Persia
 Sparked
decline of
the Persian power.
Athens
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Boosted Athens as the Premier
City-State
Formed alliences with other
city-states: Delian League
under Pericles
Offended the Spartans
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Attacked Sparta’s Ally Corinth
Peloponnesian war ( 431 -404
b.c.e.( Athens and Sparta)
Outcome: Sparta Won!
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Legacy: left a long lasting
hostility towards each other
Fueled independence and
indiviuality
Led to weakness and
vulnerability to conquest!