Download Rival City-States: Athens versus Sparta

Rival City-States:
Sparta vs. Athens
Athens and Sparta were
probably the two most
famous and powerful city
states in Ancient Greece.
However, they were
both very different.
Sparta
“Come back with your
shield or on it”
Development
• Located on the
Peloponnesus
Peninsula
• Conquered neighboring
region & took over land
• Created militaristic
society
Spartan Society
• 3 social groups
• Citizens: descended from the invaders,
controlled Sparta (only 5%)
• Perioci: free men, paid taxes & served
in the army but had no political power
• Helots: slaves, greatly outnumbered
the other groups; Spartans used force to
control them
Government
• Founded on the principle that the life
of EVERY INDIVIDUAL belonged to
the state
Government
•Militaristic Oligarchy
•Two kings led Sparta
–1 king handled military
–1 king took care of domestic
matters
Government
•Council of Elders
•28 male citizens over
the age of 60
•Proposed laws & served as a criminal
court
•Assembly
•Included all male citizens over age of
30; voted on laws
Military Society
•Life revolved around army (no need
for walls! Army will defend!)
•All men aspired to become soldiers
•Newborn infants were
examined
•Healthy = lived
•Sickly = left to die on
hillside
Education/Training
•Primary purpose was to produce
soldiers!
•Military training began at age 7
for boys
•Became soldiers at age
20
•Served until age 60
Education/Training
•Trained to read, write & use
weapons
•Taught to steal, but
not get caught
•Harsh training: no
shoes, sometimes no
clothing
Spartan Women
•Life’s ambition was to
be a soldier’s mother
•Women were expected
to be healthy & strong so that
they could bear strong children
•Trained in gymnastics, wrestling
& boxing
Spartan Women
•Although they were respected in
Spartan society, women COULD
NOT participate in government
Impact of Military Society
•Exceptional athletes, competed
well in the Olympics, &
defended Greece against
invaders
•BUT…
Impact of Military Society
•…discouraged trade & shunned
philosophy, science, literature, &
the arts
•No individual freedom
•Little economic growth
Athens
Development
• Located on the
Attica Peninsula
(north of
Sparta)
• Descended from
the Mycenaeans
Social Class
• Citizens:
• All free men born in
Athens (50%)
• Metics:
• Born outside Athens
• No land, but paid taxes
• Slaves: Captured in war,
considered property
Government
Government
• Assembly:
• Passed laws
& decided
public issues
• ALL free men over the age of 18
could participate
• It was considered their public
duty
Government
• Council of 500
• Drafted &
proposed laws
• Oversaw meetings of the
assembly
• Members chosen by lottery once
a year
Government
• Ostracism:
• If a politician’s
name appeared
on 6,000
ostraca they
would be
EXILED!!!
Education/Training
• Only boys were given an
education
• Entered school at 7;
graduated at 18
• Studied arithmetic,
drawing, music, gymnastics,
rhetoric, literature (Iliad &
Odyssey), etc.
Education/Training
• At age 18 men served
in the military for 2
years
• Ephebic Oath:
• Pledge of loyalty to
Athens & to good
citizenship
Athenian Women
• No formal
education; learned
household duties
from mother
• Married between 13-15
• Primary purpose was to have
children
Athenian Women
• Wore clothes to depict
their status in society
• No legal rights
• Could not participate in
government, or go to
the market or the
Olympics
Athenian Legacy
• Democracy, philosophy,
architecture, drama, art…