The Greeks Sparta vs. Athens

Two different city-states Sparta Sparta Athens Athens

Sparta Sparta is in Peloponnesus Sparta is in Peloponnesus They were Dorians who conquered Laconia They were Dorians who conquered Laconia They turned the conquered people into state owned slaves known as helots They turned the conquered people into state owned slaves known as helots –Helots were supposed to work the land –The helots outnumbered them so they had to have strict control.

Spartan culture They had two kings and a council of elders and an assembly made up of all citizens to approve major decisions They had two kings and a council of elders and an assembly made up of all citizens to approve major decisions –Citizens were male, native-born Spartans over 30.

Being a citizen From childhood Spartans prepared to be part of a military state. From childhood Spartans prepared to be part of a military state. All newborns were examined and the sickly ones were left to die. All newborns were examined and the sickly ones were left to die. At 7 boys began training for a lifetime in the military. At 7 boys began training for a lifetime in the military. –They moved into barracks –They slept on hard palates, ate bad food, had hard exercise, and strict discipline –They were encouraged to steal food but were punished if caught.

A soldier’s life Spartan youth became excellent soldiers Spartan youth became excellent soldiers At 20 they could marry, but they lived in the barracks for another 10 years and ate there for another 40 years. At 20 they could marry, but they lived in the barracks for another 10 years and ate there for another 40 years.

Women in Sparta Girls were to produce healthy soldiers and sons for the army. Girls were to produce healthy soldiers and sons for the army. They were to exercise and strengthen their bodies. They were to exercise and strengthen their bodies. They had to obey their fathers or husbands They had to obey their fathers or husbands –They could inherit property –Because of wars they took on more responsibilities.

Spartans Isolated themselves from their neighbors Isolated themselves from their neighbors Looked down on trade and wealth Looked down on trade and wealth Travel was forbidden Travel was forbidden “Spartans are willing to die because they have no reason to live” “Spartans are willing to die because they have no reason to live”

Athens

Athens Athens is in Attica Athens is in Attica Government went from monarchy to aristocracy Government went from monarchy to aristocracy Under the aristocracy wealth and power grew but people were not happy Under the aristocracy wealth and power grew but people were not happy –They demanded change and didn’t want the nobles to have all of the power. –In hard times, farmers had to sell their land and even themselves sometimes to pay debts.

Call for change Athens moved slowly towards a democracy-government by the people. Athens moved slowly towards a democracy-government by the people. Solon was appointed chief official and was told to make reforms. Solon was appointed chief official and was told to make reforms. –He outlawed debt slavery and freed those in debt slavery –Opened high offices to more citizens –Gave citizenship to some foreigners –Gave the assembly more say in important decisions

Not really that reformed Solon’s reforms helped but only for some Solon’s reforms helped but only for some Citizenship was still limited Citizenship was still limited This led to the rise of tyrants-people who gain power by force. This led to the rise of tyrants-people who gain power by force.

More reforms And the assembly was made - this was a legislature-a law making body. And the assembly was made - this was a legislature-a law making body. –They debated laws –All male citizens over 30 were members

Government still limited Democracy still limited Democracy still limited Only male citizens could participate Only male citizens could participate Slaves and women had no voice BUT Athens gave people more of a say than anybody else. BUT Athens gave people more of a say than anybody else.

Women in Athens Women had no part in public life Women had no part in public life In wealthy homes, Athenian women were secluded In wealthy homes, Athenian women were secluded –They managed the household, spun and wove, took care of the children, and prepared food. Poor women worked outside of the home Poor women worked outside of the home

Education in Athens Only boys attended school if their families could afford it. Only boys attended school if their families could afford it. –They learned to read and write, studied music, poetry, and public speaking –They received military training –But they were encouraged to explore and learn new things.