Sparta vs. Athens
I.By 750 B.C., the polis (city-state—city plus surrounding countryside including villages) was the political unit in Greece.
II. Military of Athens and Sparta: 1. Discovery of iron allowed ordinary citizens to arm and defend themselves
A. Citizens were expected to defend the polis
B. Phalanx—soldiers walked side by side, spear in one hand, shield in the other
III.Sparta: 1. Government: Sparta’s gov’t was an oligarchy A. Oligarchy—a gov’t ruled by a few powerful people ex., military leaders
2.Military state with military leaders. A. Valued strength, duty and discipline B. All loyalty was the Spartan state, even above family
Life for Spartan Boys: No shoes Light tunics Marched each day Slept on hard benches Lived in barracks Ate meager meals of black porridge 3. Boys—Age 7, they were sent away from home for rigorous military training in army barracks
4. Girls—Ran, wrestled and played in sports but were not part of the military
5.Women—did not have the right to vote but managed the families estates while their husbands served the polis
B.C.—Sparta had the most powerful army in Greece. A.Cost = NO individuality, art or freedom
IV.Athens: 1. Government—Athens was a democracy A. Direct Democracy— a gov’t ruled by the citizens YES! NO!
B.Only citizens could vote and citizens were only adult, free men.
C. Women could not vote and were expected to raise the children and take care of the household quietly.
2. Athens: located on the coast, had a very strong navy
3. Athenians valued individuality, art and freedom
V. Persian Wars: Persians invaded Greece around 490 B.C.
1. Greek city-states, including Athens and Sparta, fought valiantly defeating the Persians despite being outnumbered
2.Results: a. Greeks gained confidence and ended the threat of future attacks.
b. Delian League—140 polis alliance against future invasion
c. Wealth and victory caused creative outbreak setting the stage for Greek Golden Age
3. Golden Age—time of peace and prosperity with developments in culture: *art *literature *architecture *education *science *math
Athens
Sparta