Aim: Would I rather be Athenian or Spartan?

I Rise of the Greek City-States A) After the fall of the Mycenaeans, the Dorians invaded Greece the Peloponnesus. Greece fell into a dark age. Literacy almost disappeared. People sought protection by an acropolis (large hill). By the 8th century BCE, Greek city-states (poli) began to emerge. They remained mostly isolated due to Greece’s rugged mountains. Greeks adopted the Phoenician alphabet.

The Athenian Acropolis II Athens A) On the highest hilltop was the acropolis with marble temples for Gods. B) On flatter ground was the walled city with the agora (marketplace), theatre, public buildings and homes. The Athenian Acropolis

The Athenian Agora As it Would Have Been…

Athens Continued… C) The Birth of Athenian Democracy: Athens evolved from an oligarchy to a direct democracy “rule by the people.” Checks and balances (legislative lawmaking body, a council of representatives, and courts with juries of citizens) Only free males (no slaves) who owned property were citizens and could participate. Women were not citizens. The democracy could vote to ostracize (exile)someone believed to be too powerful or corrupt. Oligarchy: A government controlled by a few wealthy & powerful people Direct Democracy: Citizens vote & most votes win "Our constitution does not copy the laws of neighboring states... Its administration favors the many instead of the few; this is why it is called a democracy…” – Pericles Funeral Oration, 5th century BCE

Athens Continued… D) Athenian boys were given a well rounded education; they studied reading, writing, rhetoric (public speaking), science, the arts, and philosophy. From 18-20 years old they trained for the military or navy. E) Athenian women were mostly kept indoors, and had a similar status to slaves.

“Spartans are willing to die for their city because they have no reason to live.”

Child Soldiers, South Sudan, 2015 II Sparta By the 8th century BCE, the Spartans (descended from the Dorians) had turned the conquered people of the Peloponnesus into slaves (helots). Helots outnumbered the Spartan soldiers 7 to 1, and did all of the farming and manual work. B) Spartan Government was ruled by 2 kings, but their power was limited by a Council of Elders. C) At birth an “unfit” child was left outside to die. At 7 years old all boys moved to barracks to train to become soldiers. Child Soldiers, South Sudan, 2015

Primary Source: Xenophon “On the Spartans” 428 – 354 BCE) “Instead of softening their feet with shoe or sandal, [the military trainer’s] rule was to make [the boys]…hardy through going barefoot…his rule was to habituate them to a single garment the whole year through…. [they should become used to starvation] On the other hand, to guard against a too great pinch of starvation, he did give them permission to steal this thing or that in the effort to alleviate their hunger.”

Sparta Continued… E) Unlike in Athens, Spartan women were educated in reading, writing and athletics. Women were allowed to own property so they could protect the family’s home while the men were away at war.

III The Greek Military All Athenian citizens had to serve in the army for 2 years. Both the Athenians and the Spartans used the phalanx: massive form of heavily armed foot soldiers (like a human tank). Phalanx soldier = hoplite. Athens had a strong navy, and used triremes. As Sparta was more inland, they did not have a navy.

Key Vocaubulary Acropolis Agora Athenian Assembly Athens Attica Council of 500 Dark Age Democracy Direct Democracy Helots Peloponnesus Phoenician alphabet Polis/Poli Solon Sparta Trireme