A Tale of Two City-States…. Athens vs. Sparta A Tale of Two City-States….

? Where is Athens? Athens is located on the rocky Attica peninsula.

Geographical Impact on Athens Cause Effect Greece is located on mountainous peninsulas and rocky islands Athens was located on the tip of the Attica peninsula off of the Aegean Sea Communication was difficult so the Greeks built individual city-states that are cut off from each other by land and sea Athens became a major trade center which led them to have contact with many other cultures. Developed a strong navy.

Athenian Education In ancient Athens, the purpose of education was to produce citizens trained in the arts, and to prepare citizens for both peace and war.  Boys went to school from ages 5-18 Schools taught reading, writing, mathematics, philosophy, music, poetry, sports and gymnastics The national epic poems of the Greeks – Homer’s Odyssey and Iliad were a vital part of life for the Athenian people. As soon as their pupils could write, the teachers voiced passages from Homer for them to write down and memorize. From 18-20, boys had to enter the military for 2 years only after this could you be a citizen of Athens.

Athenian Women and Education Girls were not educated at school, but many learned to read and write at home in the comfort of their courtyard. 

Athenian Government Ancient Athenians invented direct democracy as a form of government A direct democracy is a government in which people vote to make their own rules and laws Only male citizens could vote. They were expected to vote on every single law. Elected officials including 10 generals to run the army and a treasurer to keep track of the city-state’s wealth

Athenian government was divided up into Three Main Bodies—Assembly, Council of 500, and the Courts The Assembly included all citizens who showed up to vote. The assembly would decide on new laws and important decisions, like whether or not to go to war. Council of 500: Every year 500 men were drawn from a lottery to help run the government on a daily basis. So every citizen had a chance, regardless of their popularity or wealth, to become an official. The Courts: Trial by jury

Specialization in Ancient Athens Freemen: all male citizens Upper Class: Aristocrats Land owners Naval captains and military leaders Middle Class: small farmers Lower Class: craftsman Slaves: treated less harshly than other Greek city-states

Athenian Navy The Athenian trireme allowed the navy to protect the Athenian way of life

Athenian Contributions Sculptures, pottery, architecture, drama, literature, philosophy, science, medicine, mathematics, and democracy

Where is Sparta? Sparta is located on the rocky Peloponnesus peninsula.

Geographical Impact on Sparta Cause Effect Greece is located on mountainous peninsulas and rocky islands Sparta was located inland in the mountains on the Peloponnesus peninsula. Communication was difficult so the Greeks built individual city-states that are cut off from each other by land and sea Mountains formed a natural barrier protecting Sparta Disapproved of trade and contact with outsiders Developed a strong military lifestyle

Spartan Education In ancient Sparta, the purpose of education was to produce a well-drilled, well-disciplined marching army. Spartan boys were sent to military school at the age of 6 or 7. They lived, trained, and slept in barracks. At school, they were taught survival skills and other skills necessary to be a great soldier. School courses were very hard and often painful. Even though students were taught to read and write, those skills were not very important to the ancient Spartans. Only warfare mattered. The boys were not fed well, and were told that it was fine to steal food as long as they did not get caught stealing. If they were caught, they were beaten. The boys marched without shoes to make them strong. It was a brutal training period.

Spartan Legend A young Spartan boy once stole a live fox, planning to kill it and eat it. He noticed some Spartan soldiers approaching, and hid the fox beneath his shirt. When confronted, to avoid the punishment he would receive if caught stealing, he allowed the fox to chew into his stomach rather than confess he had stolen a fox. He did not allow his face or body to express pain.

Spartan Women and Education In Sparta, girls also went to school at age 6 or 7. They lived, slept and trained in their sisterhood's barracks. No one knows if their school was as cruel or as rugged as the boys school, but the girls were taught wrestling, gymnastics, and combat skills. Spartans believed that strong young women would produce strong babies. At age 18, if a Spartan girl passed her skills and fitness test, she would be assigned a husband and allowed to return home. If she failed, she would lose her rights as a citizen, and become a member of the middle class. 

Spartan Government Sparta’s government was a combination of different forms of government—oligarchy (a few rule) and a democracy. Two kings: Led the army, served as high priests, and had law making power. Five Overseers : ran day-to-day operations of Sparta and had veto power over laws. Senate: 28 men over 60 that were elected for life and acted as judges and made laws. Assembly: all Spartan male citizens

Spartans believed in a life of discipline, self-denial, and simplicity Spartans believed in a life of discipline, self-denial, and simplicity. They were loyal to the state of Sparta. Every Spartan male or female was required to have a perfect body. When babies were born, Spartan soldiers would come by the house and check the baby. If the baby did not appear healthy and strong, the infant was taken away, and left to die on a hillside, or taken away to be trained as a slave.

Specialization in Ancient Sparta Somewhere between the age of 18 – 20, Spartan males had to pass a difficult test of fitness, military ability, and leadership skills. If they passed they became a full citizen and Spartan soldier. If they did not pass they became part of the middle class and were allowed to own property, have business dealings, but had no political rights and were not citizens.

Spartan Military The Spartan warrior was the most feared soldier in Greece Spartan soldiers spent most of their lives with their fellow soldiers. They ate slept, and continued to train in their barracks. Even if they married, they did not live with their wives. Military service did not end until a Spartan male reached the age of 60. Then a Spartan soldier could retire and live at their home.

Spartan Contributions Created almost no art, literature, and made almost no advances in science The Phalanx