Comparing Athens and Sparta: Where Would You Rather Live, and Why?

Vocab:
democracy: rule by the people

oligarchy: rule by the few
monarchy: rule by a king or queen
aristocracy: rule by the wealthy or the land-owners
courtesans: prostitutes with wealthy clients
Comparing Athens and Sparta:

Where Would You Rather Live, and Why?
Source: PBS.org
ATHENS SPARTA
Population & Approximately 140,000; Approximately 8,000 Spartiates (adult

Map Approximately 40,000 men were male citizens) ruled over a population
citizens; and slaves (about of 100,000 enslaved and semi-
40,000). By 432 BC, Athens had enslaved people.
become the most populous city-
state in Hellas. In Athens and
Attica, there were at least 150,000
Athenians, around 50,000 aliens,
and more than 100,000 slaves.
Government & Athenian Government Spartan Government:Usually classified

Political Usually classified as a "direct as an "oligarchy" (rule by a few), but
organizations democracy" (because everyone, it had elements of monarchy (rule by
not just politicians attended the kings), democracy (through the
Assembly), Athens claims to be the election of council/senators), and
"birthplace of democracy". aristocracy (rule by the upper class
Elected officials including 10 or land owning class).
generals (strategos), Two kings who were generals in
magistrates (archons), and command of the armies and with
others. some religious duties.
Council of 500 was charged with Five overseers (ephors) elected
administering decisions made by annually ran the day-to-day operations
the Assembly. of Sparta. They could veto rulings
The Assembly open to all citizens made by the council or assembly.
(all citizens were eligible to attend Council or Senate(apella) of 28
such meetings and speak up). councilmen (men over 60 and elected
They passed laws and made policy for life by the citizens) and the 2
decisions. The Assembly met on kings. They acted as judges and
the Hill of the Pnyx at the foot of proposed laws to the citizens'
the Acropolis. assembly.
During time of Pericles citizens The Assembly of all Spartan males
were paid for jury service so not aged 30 or over could support or veto
only the wealthy could participate. the council's recommendations by
Women did not participate in the shouting out their votes.
political life of Athens. Women did not participate in the
political life of Sparta.
Social Social Structure of Social Structure of Sparta:

Structure Athens:Freemen were all male Three classes:Spartiates (military
citizens: divided into numerous professionals who lived mostly in
classes: at the top were barracks and whose land was farmed
aristocrats who had large estates by serfs; they served in the army and
and made up the cavalry or could vote).
captained triremes; middle ranks Perioeci or "neighbors/outsiders"
were small farmers; lowest who were freemen; they included
class was the thetes (urban artisans, craftsmen, merchants; they
craftsmen and trireme rowers). could not vote or serve in the army;
Metics - those who came from foreigners could be in this class.
outside the city; they were not Helots (serfs descended from those
allowed to own land, but could run peoples who had resisted subjugation
industries and businesses. Slaves by Sparta and who were constantly
were lowest class, but less harshly rebelling. They were treated like
treated than in most other Greek slaves and gave 1/2 of their produce
cities. Slaves had no rights, and an to the Spartiate citizens who owned
owner could kill a slave. Slaves the land.
varied in status: some were given Women had few rights, but were more
important roles in Athens, like independent in Sparta than elsewhere
policemen. Women were rarely in Greece.
seen outside the home and had no
rights in the Athenian democracy.
Allies Delian League (with Athens clearly a Peloponnesian League (with Sparta
the most powerful); Athens taxed clearly the most powerful).
and protected other city-states.
Military Strong navy. Strong army, best and most feared

strength fighters on land.
Life style Democratic values for citizens. Spartan culture: Militaristic values.
and values They believed in participation in Children of citizens were raised to be
government as a civic "Spartan", taught to get along with
responsibility. Athenians believed almost nothing. Spartiate citizens were
in their cultural superiority and in not permitted to own gold or silver or
their role in an empire and luxuries. Spartan children were taught
benefiting from trade. (See to respect elderly, women, and
Pericles' Funeral Oration showing warriors. [The strict separation of
these values.) "Further, we classes and militaristic system was put
provide many ways to refresh the into place by Lycurgus in the 7th
mind from the burdens of century BC.]
business. We hold contests and Spartan mothers would say to their
offer sacrifices all the year round, sons, "Either come back with your
and the elegance of our private shield or on it" (meaning return
establishments forms a daily victorious or die fighting).
source of pleasure and helps to This lifestyle was praised by
drive away sorrow. The magnitude Xenophon, an ancient historian c. 375
of our city draws the produce of BCE.
the world into our harbor, so that
to the Athenian the fruits of other
countries are as familiar a luxury
as those of his own."
Education Boys: Schools taught reading, Boys: Boys were taken from parents
writing and mathematics, music, at age seven and trained in the art of
poetry, sport and gymnastics. warfare. They were only give a cloak -
Based upon their birth and the no shoes or other clothes, and not
wealth of their parents, the length enough food so they had to steal (to
of education was from the age of learn survival skills). At age 20 they
5 to 14, for the wealthier 5 - 18 were placed into higher ranks of the
and sometimes into a student's military. To age 30 they were
mid-twenties in an academy where dedicated to the state; then they could
they would also study philosophy, marry but still lived in barracks with
ethics, and rhetoric (the skill of other soldiers. They were educated in
persuasive public speaking). choral dance, reading and writing, but
Finally, the citizen boys entered a athletics and military training were
military training camp for two emphasized.Girls: Girls were
years, until the age of twenty. educated at age 7 in reading and
Foreign metics and slaves were writing, gymnastics, athletics and
not expected to attain anything survival skills. Could participate in
but a basic education in Greece, sports; treated more as equals.
but were not excluded from it
either.
Girls: Girls received little formal
education (except perhaps in the
aristocrats' homes through tutors);
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.
Role of Athenian women: Spartan women and the role of

women Athenian women and girls were Spartan women:
kept at home with no participation Girls were educated in reading and
in sports or politics. Wives were writing and could participate in sports;
considered property of their they were treated more as equals to
husbands. They were responsible men. The goal was to produce women
for spinning, weaving and other who would produce strong healthy
domestic arts. babies. At age 18 she would be
Some women held high posts in assigned a husband and return home.
the ritual events and religious life Citizen women were free to move
of Athens (where the goddess around and enjoyed a great deal of
Athena was the patron). freedom. Domestic arts (weaving,
Prostitutes and courtesans were spinning, etc.) were usually left to the
not confined to the house. Some other classes. Spartan women could
became influential such as Aspasia own and control their own property.
(see the 'Character Stories section In times of war the wife was expected
of this Web site). to oversee her husband's property and
to guard it against invaders and
revolts until her husband returned.
Cultural Art, architecture, drama and Military supremacy and simple lifestyle
achieve- literature, philosophy, science, are the major inspiration behind the
ments and medicine, etc. Government philosopher Plato's book 'The Republic'
legacy (democracy, trial by jury) - the first attempt to formulate an
'ideal' community.
Other Food: Athenians enjoyed luxuries Food: Spartan Broth consisted of

and foods from all over their pork, blood, salt and vinegar. Spartans
empire. Wealthy Athenian homes were trained to dislike luxuries and
were quite nice with an inner fancy foods. The men lived most of
courtyard. their lives in military barracks.

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Vocab:

democracy: rule by the people

Comparing Athens and Sparta:

Population & Approximately 140,000; Approximately 8,000 Spartiates (adult

Government & Athenian Government Spartan Government:Usually classified

Social Social Structure of Social Structure of Sparta:

Military Strong navy. Strong army, best and most feared

Role of Athenian women: Spartan women and the role of

Other Food: Athenians enjoyed luxuries Food: Spartan Broth consisted of

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