Greek CityStates Athens and Sparta 10292020 Spartan society

Greek City-States: Athens and Sparta 10/29/2020

Spartan society • 3 social groups • Equals: descended from the invaders, controlled Sparta • Half-citizens: free, paid taxes and served in the army but had no political power, some farmed but others worked in the city as traders or artisans • Helots: slaves, greatly outnumbered the other groups so Spartans used force to control them, in large part this is why Sparta became a military city-state 10/29/2020

Spartan Government • Two kings led Sparta • 1 king handled military • 1 king took care of domestic matters • A council of Elders • Made up of 28 male citizens over the age of 60 • Proposed laws and served as a criminal court • An assembly • Included all male citizens over 30 • Elected 5 ephors • Made sure the kings stayed within the law • Elected for a 1 year term • Controlled the education of Spartans 10/29/2020

Sparta’s Military Society • Goal was to make every male citizen a part of the military machine • Military worked to expand Sparta and control the helots • A group of officials examined new born babies and those deemed unhealthy were left to die • At 7 boys left home to join the barracks • Mainly military training but they also learned how to read and write • From age 18 -20 they learned specifically about warfare • At 20 they could marry but could not live at home until age 30 • Were available for military service until the age of 60 10/29/2020

Sparta’s Military Society (cont’d) • Spartan women • Received strict physical training • Taught to be devoted to the city-state • Their best value was seen as producing Spartan soldiers • Results of military society: • • 10/29/2020 Strong government Almost unbeatable army No individual freedom Created almost no art or literature and made almost no advances in science

Athenian Society • 3 class groups • Citizens: extended to all those born in Athens, only the men had political rights • Metics: born outside Athens, free and had to pay taxes but had no political rights and could not own land • Slaves: captured in war, together with metics made up more than half of Athenian society 10/29/2020

Early Athenian Government • After the monarchy ended, an aristocracy took its place • All adult male citizens met in an assembly • Elected generals in time of war • Elected nine archons (rulers with a 1 year term) • First written code created around 621 • Solon (archon in 594 B. C. ) • Outlawed selling people into slavery to pay their debt • Divided citizens into 4 groups based on wealth: wealthiest 2 could hold office 10/29/2020