Athens and Sparta Greek Mythology

Located in eastern Greece, north of Sparta Athens went through several stages of political development 1. monarchy – rule by a single person (ex: king) 2. Aristocracy- power was in the hands of hereditary ruling class/nobility 3. Tyranny– led by tyrant was a powerful person who gained control of the gov’t by appealing to the poor 4. Democracy- rule by the people Limited democracy Only citizens (landowning men) could participate Women could not participate as well as anyone whose parents were not citizens

Citizens (only free adult males) participated directly in political decision making But clashes continued to occur between the nobility and the common people

In 621 BC Greek lawmaker and tyrant Draco wrote the first legal code His code included unfair practices like debt slavery – farmers worked as slaves to repay their debts, people were outraged

Athens was SO close to civil war that in 594 BC aristocrats chose tyrant Solon to head gov’t He outlawed debt slavery Allowed ALL citizens to participate and debate policies in Athenian assembly Started profitable overseas trade in exporting grapes and olives He did NOT make land reforms so still fighting b/w wealthy landowners and poor farmers 508 BC nobility’s power was broken up and increased rights of citizens

Origins of democratic principles like direct democracy, public debate, and duties of a citizen (following the law)

Located in southern part of Greece on Peloponnesus Peninsula Nearly cut off from the rest of Greece Sparta built a military state ruled by an oligarchy (rule by small group of people) The Assembly voted on issues Council of Elders proposed the laws Two kings ruled over Sparta’s military

Rigid social structure: 1 st = citizens from original inhabitants of region 2 nd = free non-citizens (worked in commerce and industry) 3 rd = helots, little higher than slaves that worked the land (farmers) 4 th = slaves

MEN: daily life centered around military training Boys left home, moved to army barracks at 7 to train Marched all day with no shoes, slept on hard benches at night WOMEN: Managed family estates when husbands away fighting (had more power/status than in Athens) Young girls ran, wrestled, played sports - tough ALL: put service to Sparta above love of family Duty, strength, discipline over freedom

Greek mythology was based on polytheistic religion that was integral to culture, politics, and art in Ancient Greece Offered explanations of natural phenomena, human qualities, and life events Many of western civilization’s symbols, metaphors, words, and idealized images come from ancient Greek mythology

According to Greek myth, Zeus was the king of all the gods. Zeus had two brothers and three sisters. When their father died, the boys - Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades - divided the world up between themselves. Zeus took all of the heavens, Poseidon took the sea, and Hades took the underworld. Each was quite content with their selection. Poseidon Hades Zeus had a very jealous wife named Hera. He also had a whole bunch of kids. Zeus was very fond of all his children. Each of his children had special magical powers. Zeus had more powers than anyone. Zeus could throw his voice, and sound like anybody. He could shape shift, and look like anybody. In fact, he was so good at shape shifting that he could shape shift into the form of an animal. He could throw lightning bolts. His horse, Pegasus, carried his lightning bolts for him. Pegasus

Hera was married to Zeus. She was the queen of all the gods, and also the goddess of marriage. Hera was very jealous of her famous and powerful husband, Zeus. Hera was rarely nice to the many children Zeus had by other mothers. There are many myths about Hera's jealously, anger, and revenge. Other myths share stories about Hera's servant, Argus. Argus had 100 bright eyes all over his body. He was a great guard because he never closed more than half his eyes at one time!

Apollo and Artemis were twins. They were the magical children of Zeus and Leto. The twins - Apollo and his sister, Artemis - adored their mother. Apollo, especially, was very protective of his mother.ArtemisZeus

Artemis was the daughter of Zeus and Leto. She was Apollo's twin sister. Artemis was very different from her brother. It took a lot to get Apollo angry. He was usually pretty gentle and full of warmth. But Artemis was nearly always cold and pitiless. The only thing Artemis loved besides her family were her floppy- eared dogs. Artemis was the goddess of the hunt and the goddess of the moon.

However she was born, Aphrodite was the goddess of love and beauty. She was an essential element of many Greek myths. Legend says that Aphrodite could be kind or merciless. But the truth is that most of the myths about Aphrodite are, well, rather focused on Aphrodite. Not that she was vain. Aphrodite knew that she was the fairest in the land. To be fair to Aphrodite, she was not at all like Ares, the god of war. Ares loved to cause pain and havoc. Aphrodite was only merciless if you did something that truly angered her. Aphrodite was easier angered, especially when it came to vanity. Ares