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Ancient athens and sparta
Mr. Cistaro / Mr. C Ancient athens and sparta
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XAIRETE Welcome to Ancient Athens & Sparta.
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Our World
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Athens and Sparta During the 5th century BC, Greece was dominated by two main powers: democratic Athens and the military oligarchy of Sparta. These city-states were very different. Sparta was traditionally the great land power of the Greek world and controlled many neighboring territories whose populations were tied to the land as slaves. Athens' power was based upon its command of the sea, and though it was officially only head of a naval alliance (the Delian League), in practice this amounted to an empire in all but name.
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Athens - GOVERNMENT Eventually the Athenian government developed into a direct democracy. In a direct democracy all citizens vote on major issues instead of electing representatives to do it for them. As a result, this governmental system required frequent meetings of the Athenians to vote on important issues. These meetings often entailed debates among the citizens over policy decisions, such as going to war against another city-state. Athens' direct democracy served as an important step toward individual freedom and the involvement of individuals in the decision-making process of the government. However, only FREE males, over the age of 18, could vote.
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Athens - VALUES Cultural advancement, balance, order, education, and debate were all very important as was citizen-participation in the government. Even though Athens was a democracy there were slaves and women could not vote, hold office, or inherit property.
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Sparta - GOVERNMENT Sparta's government was basically an oligarchy, which is a government controlled by a small group of people. Often times at meetings the group that was able to shout the loudest would be the ones who won a vote or had their policy accepted. The Spartan government was mostly concerned with ensuring that the city-state had a powerful military machine to protect itself from outside invasion and to conquer others. The government also forbade its citizen to travel abroad and did not often accept visitors. They feared that outside contact would weaken the discipline of the population.
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Sparta - VALUES Above all, the Spartans valued strength and virility.
Babies that did not appear strong were often discarded. Since strength was valued over intellect and academic achievement the Spartans made few cultural contributions to Western Civilization. BUT, the areas where they did influence have stayed with us till today. ‘Spartan’ & ‘Laconic’ Witty Comebacks Governmental Structure Military (Barracks, etc.)
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Athens
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Athens
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Athens
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Athens
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Athens
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Unique Things About Athens
Ostracism (ὀστρακισμός) Under the Athenian democracy in which any citizen could be expelled from the city-state of Athens for ten years. While some instances clearly expressed popular anger at the citizen, ostracism was often used preemptively. It was used as a way of neutralizing someone thought to be a threat to the state or potential tyrant.
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Unique Things About Athens
Ostracism (ὀστρακισμός) Pericles Cimon Aristides
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Ostracism (ὀστρακισμός)
Broken pottery, abundant and virtually free, served as a kind of scrap paper. Each year the Athenians were asked in the assembly whether they wished to hold an ostracism. According to Plutarch, the ostracism was considered valid if the total number of votes cast was at least 6,000.
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Ostracism (ὀστρακισμός)
The person nominated had ten days to leave the city. If he attempted to return, the penalty was death. The property of the man banished was not confiscated and there was no loss of status. After the ten years, he was allowed to return without stigma
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For Next Time Build a cardboard shield. Check the class website
Round with an upside-down “V” on it. Try and make it as big as you can, 2-3 feet? Check the class website
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