Athens V Sparta

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

Ancient Greek City-States

Athens v Sparta Athens’ Government ruled as a democracy. They were the 1 st to ever do this. Sparta’s Government ruled as an oligarchy by 2 Kings. Both Athens’ and Sparta’s governments were elected by the people.

Spartan Warrior

Athens v Sparta Athens is built below the acropolis which stands on a hill above all of Athens. Sparta is surrounded by mountains, which makes it difficult for it to be invaded.

SPARTA Sparta was very focused on obedience and war and the people did not have any luxuries. Boys did not have to work or be educated but trained to be warriors from a young age. Boys had to join the Spartan army.

Spartan Boy Infants that were weak or malformed were left on the hillside to die. Spartan boys went into military training at about 7 years of age.

Spartan Military Camp L ife was hard in these camps. The boys' heads were shaved and their shoes were taken away, so they had to march barefoot. They wore the same thin tunic in summer and winter. They were also taught not to flinch from punishment or show any expression of pain or fear.

Spartan boys were supposed to be tough when they grew up. Those who weren't were called Tremblers and were publicly humiliated. They were forced to wear silly clothes wherever they went. Some Tremblers were even forced to grow a moustache or a beard on just one side of their face.

Life in Military Camp Boys were also kept hungry and told to steal food. If they were caught they were beaten—as an incentive to steal more skillfully in the future. This was thought to make them into more cunning soldiers.

Single men were also made fun of in Sparta. Once a year they were stripped naked and forced to walk in a public procession while Spartan girls watched and shouted cruel things at them. These men were pressured to get married and father children, and thus provide Sparta with future soldiers.

Because they gave birth to, and raised, these future soldiers, Spartan Women were more highly respected than were women in Athens. Women were also encouraged to pursue an active lifestyle as it would make them healthier mothers.

SPARTA Girls in Sparta were to grow up to be the mothers of warriors. Although they were not allowed to fight, girls took part in all the training because fit ladies produced fit babies, who would fight!

Spartan women also had more freedoms and responsibilities than women in other parts of Ancient Greece. This was because they had so much to do with the men away all the time. Even after they married, Spartan men continued to live in the military camps, apart from their wives and children.

Ancient Athens

ATHENS Athens was a very creative city state. They believed in a good education. (for boys) You could go into the army or navy if you wanted to. (if you were a boy)

ATHENS Girls were not regarded as important by the Athenians. Girls could be taught at home. (if they had rich parents) Girls were not allowed to take part in anything to do with war, business or education.

Women in Athens Girls in Athens were considered ready to marry at about age 15. The girl’s father usually picked out the husband.

Once a girl was married, her husband controlled all her property and possessions. She was dominated by her husband and did what she was told. She had very few rights.. For example, an Athenian woman couldn't participate in politics or own land or property. She had no legal rights, so she couldn't take someone to court.

She was also forbidden from going to the Olympics or to the agora (marketplace). In fact, the only time a woman could leave the house was to go to a funeral, a religious festival, or the theatre, and only then when accompanied by her husband. Women seen outside on their own were assumed to be slaves, prostitutes, or beggars.

Athens v Sparta Athens and Sparta had very different ways of living their lives. Athens wanted to control as much land as possible and this led to much war between Greek lands. Sparta, although more powerful kept itself to itself unless their army was needed.

Peloponnesian War The war between these two city states was names the Peloponnesian War, because both city- states were located on the Peloponnesian Peninsula.

However when it came to Athens and Sparta against each other… Sparta won! But, they did not take over Athens they said they would not burn it as long as Athens promised not to keep trying to take over. Athens was therefore left as it was and even now is one of the most famous cities in the world.

Hellenic Republic Today Athens and Sparta are part of Greece, whose official name is the Hellenic Republic.