Athens V Sparta Greek CityStates Greece Aegean Sea

Athens V Sparta

Greek City-States Greece Aegean Sea Athens Sparta Mediterranean Sea Asia Minor

Athens

Athens and other city states built their main temple on a polis, a high hill called an Acropolis. Below, they built their homes and a marketplace. Citizens free adult males had political rights and the responsibility of civic participation in government. Women and foreigners had no political rights. Slaves had no political rights.

Around 1100 B. C. the Spartans migrated to the Peloponnesus and built the city of Sparta They enslaved the farmers who were there and called them helots. There was one Spartan to every five Helots The Spartan army was so fierce the Spartans didn’t build a wall around the city, it was said they had a wall of men. The Helots rebelled in 600 B. C. but were defeated, after this the Spartans killed any helot who made trouble.

Sparta’s patron god was Ares, the god of war. A Spartan’s entire life revolved around preparation for war. At birth, children were checked for defects, if they were not strong and healthy they were left on a hillside to die. When a boy reached the age of seven he was sent to live in a barracks and was trained in military and athletic skills. He was poorly fed and was encouraged to steal to eat. If he was caught he would be severely punished. After 13 years of training they began service in the army. He served until the age of sixty. He was allowed to marry at 30, but still had to live in the military camp with the other soldiers.

Athens v Sparta • Athens’ Government ruled as a democracy. They were the 1 st to ever do this. • Sparta’s Government ruled as an oligarchy by 2 Kings. • Both Athens’ and Sparta’s governments were elected by the people.

Athens v Sparta • Athens is built below the acropolis which stands on a hill above all of Athens. • Sparta is surrounded by mountains, which makes it difficult for it to be invaded.

ATHENS • Athens was a very creative city state. • They believed in a good education. (for boys) • You could go into the army or navy if you wanted to. (if you were a boy)

SPARTA • Sparta was very focused on obedience and war and the people did not have any luxuries. • Boys did not have to work or be educated but trained to be warriors from a young age. • Boys had to join the Spartan army.

ATHENS • Girls were not regarded as important by the Athenians. • Girls could be taught at home. (if they had rich parents) • Girls were not allowed to take part in anything to do with war, business or education.

SPARTA • Girls in Sparta were to grow up to be the mothers of warriors. • Although they were not allowed to fight, girls took part in all the training because fit ladies produced fit babies, who would fight!

Athens v Sparta • Athens and Sparta had very different ways of living their lives. • Athens wanted to control as much land as possible and this led to much war between Greek lands. • Sparta, although more powerful kept itself to itself unless their army was needed.

However when it came to Athens and Sparta against each other… Sparta won! But, they did not take over Athens they said they would not burn it as long as Athens promised not to keep trying to take over. Athens was therefore left as it was and even now is one of the most famous cities in the world.