TO BE A CITIZEN OF A CITY-STATE: The ancient Greeks referred to themselves as citizens of their individual city-states. Each city-state (polis) had its own personality, goals, laws and customs. Ancient Greeks were very loyal to their city-state. The city-states had many things in common. They all believed in the same gods. They all spoke the same language. But if you asked an ancient Greek where he was from, he would not say, "I live in Greece." If he was from Sparta, he would say, "I am a Spartan." If he lived in Athens, he would say, "I am Athenian." The city-states might band together to fight a common foe or sometimes they went to war with each other. Greece was not yet one country. It was a collection of Greek city-states. 1 minute video ch?v=ZyBm5B-dGEg

1.How are these two statues similar? 2.How are they different? 3. What can we learn about the views and values of Athens by looking at this photograph? 4. What can we learn about the views and values of Sparta by looking at this photograph? These two statues were constructed in two different city-states in ancient Greece. The statue of Socrates is from Athens, and the statue of King Leonidas is from Sparta. Carefully study the photographs and then answer the questions below. Opposing Views

A wandering trader, has decided it is time to settle down. He offers the family a choice between two cities. In one city everyone wants to be athletic, tough & strong. Their goal of education was to create a great warrior. The other city is different. They were famous for their literature, poetry, drama, schools, buildings, and government. 5. Which city would you choose? Why? AT LEAST 3 Reasons

Sparta is situated on the southern Peloponnesus (pel-uh-puh-nee-shus) (peninsula forming the southern part of the mainland) of Greece. Sparta was isolated, surrounded by mountains on 3 sides & a harbor 25 miles away. Located in a fertile farming area on an inland plain, they were able to grow much of what they needed. What they could not grow, their Armies took by force from their neighbors.

1. Write down all of the words that come to mind when you look at this picture. 2. What does it tell us about the city state of Sparta?

Athens and Sparta were probably the two most famous and powerful city states in Ancient Greece. Athens and Sparta were probably the two most famous and powerful city states in Ancient Greece. ATHENSSPARTA However, they were both very different.

10 Life was very different in ancient Sparta than it was in the rest of ancient Greek city-states. Sparta was an ancient Greek polis that was surrounded by enemies, so Spartan citizens began preparing for war at birth. The Spartans were proud, fierce, capable warriors. The Spartans believed that military power provided security and protection. Spartan emphasis on war was very effective at keeping obedience and loyalty in their city-state. Sparta’s military expertise has been credited for many victories that helped protect the other city-states. However, Sparta did not focus on much else. As a result, they were poorer, and less technically advanced than the other city-states. No great works of art came out of Sparta, but the Spartans, both men and women, were tough, and the Greeks admired strength.

I Am Sparta

Life revolved around the army. No need for city walls…Army will defend! 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. Every Spartan male or female was required to have a perfect body.

Babies who passed inspection still didn’t have it easy. To test their strength, Spartan infants were often bathed in wine instead of water. They were also frequently ignored when they cried and commanded never to fear darkness or being alone. According to Plutarch (a philosopher), these “tough love” parenting techniques were so admired by foreigners that Spartan women were widely sought after for their skill as nurses and nannies. How would like to have one in your house??? I think NOT!

Children were raised to be soldiers, or the mothers of soldiers. Boys were sent to live in military barracks to prepare for the regular Army at the age of 7. Men trained heavily in combat and expected either to win or to die on the battlefield. Spartan men returned home at age of 30 but stayed in the army until age 60. At age 20, Spartan men entered the regular army and lived in the military barracks for another 10 years. 2 They were harshly treated to make them tough.

SPARTAN BOYS / MEN Life in barracks was harsh Beaten by older children to make them tough Whipped in front of others, but could not cry Spartan trainers underfed the boys, When the boys reached the age of twelve, they no longer had tunics to wear, but got one cloak a year. Their bodies were tough and rarely had baths or lotion. They wore rags. As boys grew older, the Spartans intensified their training, cutting their hair short and making them used to walking barefoot. Marched allllllllllll day barefoot!

There is a story about a Spartan boy who, in order to conceal a fox which he had stolen, hid it beneath his cloak and allowed the fox to gnaw him rather than let the theft be revealed. He died of the wounds. If he had been discovered, the disgrace would not have been in the stealing, but in allowing it to be detected. The boy's action illustrates the main purpose of the Spartan educational system, which was to produce men capable of showing such bravery as soldiers. Military strength was felt to be necessary to Sparta for their very survival.

In Sparta, the purpose of education was to produce capable men and women who could fight to protect the city-state.

NEED EXTRA HELP? STUDENT ACTIVITY: 18 SPARTA READING AND QUESTIONS SPARTAN WARRIOR VIDEO / 3 min