The Greek City-State: Sparta vs. Athens Ancient Greece

Key Vocabulary City-State - also known as a Polis, they were the political units of Greece. Sparta – a city-state in Greece that valued militarism. Athens – a city-state in Greece that was the birthplace of democracy. Democracy – a form of government where the citizens have the power to rule.

Essential Question Explain the major similarities and differences between the Greek city-states of Athens and Sparta.

Warm Up List three challenges that Greece had to overcome because of its geographic features. What was significant about these challenges?

What do you believe the definition is? Key Vocabulary Democracy What do you believe the definition is? Definition Examples Create a test question

City-States The political units of Greece Known as a polis. Made up of a city and the surrounding countryside, which could include many villages. Controlled between 50-500 square miles with up to 10,000 residents. Had an agora, or marketplace, on an acropolis (fortified hilltop) where citizens gathered to discuss government.

Ways to Rule a Greek Polis Monarchy: a single ruling person; usually a king or queen Aristocracy: form of government which rules through a small group of noble, landowning families Oligarchy: form of government ruled by a few powerful people

Assessment Prompt 1 Summarize in a sentence or two the importance of the different ways to rule a Greek polis.

Sparta A state located in Southern Greece in Peloponnesus that was cut off from the rest of Greece by the Gulf of Corinth. What made it unique is that if was a military state that was constantly training.

Spartan Government The Spartan government had many branches that aided in governing the territory. ASSEMBLY COUNCIL OF ELDERS Made up of free adult men Proposed laws that the assembly would vote on Elected officials and voted on all issues 5 elected officials (called Ephors) carried out the laws passed by the assembly

Spartan Social Order The population within Sparta was diverse. Inhabitants were split in to three different groups. 1. Citizens: descended from the original inhabitants of the region; included the ruling families. 2. Non-citizens who were free and working in commerce and industry. 3. The Helots. These people were little better than slaves and working in the fields and as house servants. Non-Spartan born and were the “lowest level” of Spartan society.

Spartan Education Life was centered around MILITARY TRAINING! BOYS GIRLS At age 7 were sent to live in barracks and were training Were allowed to marry at age 20 Had to live in barracks until age 30 At age 30, they could be part of the assembly but were still part of the military Were very active Took great care of their bodies Put service to Sparta 1st in their lives Didn’t have the right to vote but could inherit property Had to obey men when they were around Spartans valued duty, strength, and discipline over individuality, beauty, and freedom.

Assessment Prompt 2 Complete the following graph by placing Spartan social order in the correct spot along with their significance.

Athens Athens was a city-state located north of Peloponnesus and Sparta. Some of the biggest differences between Sparta and Athens were: Although the Spartan’s were extremely strong they weren’t able to act independently. The Athenians were eager to learn and try new things. The Athenians were able to have their own individuality within the city-state too.

Athenian Government A new form of government was forming within Athens: a democracy. What was Athenian democracy? Allowed adult males to count as citizens. These male citizens would be the ones who had the right to be involved in government. Women, slaves, and foreigners were NOT allowed to be or considered citizens.

Building Democracy: Draco A nobleman who took power in 621 BC. Developed a legal code with the idea that all Athenians were equal under the law, rich or poor. Dealt harshly with criminals. Death was the punishment for almost every crime. Allowed debt slavery.

Function of the Athenian Assembly The Assembly, or ekklesia, had 4 primary functions: It made executive pronouncements (decrees, such as deciding to go to war or granting citizenship to a foreigner). It elected some officials. It legislated (made laws). It tried political crimes.

King Solon: Athenian Lawmaker Headed the Athenian government in 594 BC Outlawed debt slavery; no citizen should own another citizen. Allowed all citizens to participate and debate policies in the assembly. Allowed all citizens to bring charges against wrongdoers. Introduced many economic reforms.

Rulers after Solon Cleisthenes (KLYS-thuh-neez) Came to power in 508 BC Created a full democracy. He reorganized the assembly to break up the power of the nobility. This increased the power of the assemble by allowing all citizens to submit laws for debate & passage. Created the Council of 500 Body proposed laws & counseled assembly. Council members were chosen at random.

Life in Athens Typically only sons of wealthy families received education. Began school around age of 7 Studied reading, grammar, poetry, history, math, and music. Also had lessons in logic and public speaking. Spent time each day on fitness. When older, boys were sent to military school to prepare for defending Athens.

Women in Athens Girls were educated at home by mothers. They were taught child-rearing, weaving, cooking, managing the household, and other skills for good wives and mothers. Very little to do with Athenian society outside of the home. http://www.schooltube.com/video/f883 6a3434a31a97579b/HORRIBLE- HISTORIES-Wife-Swap-Spartans-and- Athenians

Assessment Prompt 3 Please complete the following Flow Map by describing how democracy changed in Athens over time. 750 BC: Shift from tribal/clan control (Mycenaean/Dorians) to city-states

Assignment You will read the assigned text on both Sparta and Athens. Then, using both your notes and the reading you have just completed, you will complete the accompanying graphic organizer. You will then turn in this assignment for a GRADE.

Journal Where would you rather live, Athens or Sparta? Why? What is another term for city state? How did the governments of Athens and Sparta differ? What were some differences in how women were treated in Athens and Sparta?