ATHENS & SPARTA

Social Studies 10| A Morrison

[Adapted in part from A. Champion]

OUTCOMES

3.13 Demonstrate an understanding of the relative merits of the various political institutions developed in the Greek city-states.

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Minoan: 2000-1450 BCEMycenaean: 1600-1100 BCE

The Dark Ages: 1100-800 BCECity-States/Colonization: 800-550 BCEPersian Wars: 550-480 BCE

Classical Greece: 480-338 BCEThe Hellenistic Age: 338-27 BCE

Greco-Roman Period: 27 BCE-400 AD

You are here.

ATHENS & SPARTA

•Handout| Athens & Sparta

•Organize the following notes onto the chart in order to compare the two city-states.

ATHENS & SPARTA

• Athens & Sparta were the two most powerful polis.• They were also the

two most different.

ATHENS

•Direct democracy.

• A group, or council, of approximately 500 men made decisions for the citizens.

• Control rotated on a regular basis.

ATHENS

•Had a military, but not every male citizen served.•Had a very large, strong

navy which allowed Athens to expand their influence across the Mediterranean Sea and Greece.

ATHENS• Society focused on wealth & culture.

•Developments in art, philosophy, and science.•Worked closely with others to trade

and share ideas and materials.

• Athenians saw growth as developing the city.

• Architectural and engineering feats.• Athens was famous for its fine

pottery.

ATHENS

•Women were judged on beauty.• They could not participate

in public life, own property, or vote.• Not formally educated,

expected to focus on domestic tasks & children.• Upon marriage, all

possessions became property of the husband.

• Agriculture was strong and vital to the economy.

• A great fleet of boats helped Athenians trade with allies.• Ideas and goods were traded

relatively freely.• Athenians used metal coins.

•Marble was another commodity that was profitable for Athens.

SPARTA• Spartans lived under an

oligarchy.

•Most of the power laid in the hands of two Kings:•One king controlled the

military and one controlled the govt.

• A council of aristocrats advised the kings but an Assembly of all male citizens over 30 voted on proposals.

SPARTA

• Sparta was focused on military strength.• Spartan boys left home at age 7

and lived in army barracks where they trained until age 30.• Tough, skilled soldiers.•Men taught to put military

service above all else (even family).

SPARTA

• Sparta didn’t seek to conquer as they isolated themselves from the outside world.•Most feared City-State

despite only having 10,000 official citizens at any one time.

SPARTA

• Spartans were notorious for a simple, frugal, minimalist lifestyle.

• Ate only what they needed, kept their bodies fit, did not spend money wastefully.

•Worship of the gods was important and could trump even there thirst for battle.•Obedience was a virtue and often they were not

allowed to travel abroad.

SPARTA• Spartan women were judged on

physical toughness.• They competed in sports and

girls received the same training as boys.•Women were raised to be the

mothers and wives of warriors – tougher women would raise tougher sons.

SPARTA• Spartan women had more rights than other Greek women.• Could own property.•Domestic tasks were seen

as jobs for slaves.• Similar physical training to

men.• They still had no political or

legal status.

SPARTA

• Spartan women ran family estates while men were away.

•Meant women had more power than in other city-states.

•Women taught to value service to Sparta above all else (even family).

Spartan women told their men to come back from battle with their shield or on it.

SPARTA

• Spartans focused on dominating the region around Sparta to protect their way of life.

• They limited trade in order cut down on sharing ideas with other polis.•When Sparta wanted to receive goods they used force.•Why trade with others when you can force them to

give what you want?

SPARTA

• This promoted dominance and bigger, stronger military forces.

•Helots were slaves captured in all lands invaded.• The use of slaves meant Spartans were able to

focus on war rather than chores.

RIVALRY

• Both Athens & Sparta started consolidating power.

• Following the Persian Wars, Athens and Sparta each built a set of alliances with other polis.

• Intended to defend against another Persian invasion.

Consolidate: combine

multiple things into a more

effective whole.

RIVALRY

• Athens lead the Delian League.• 150 city-states

•Other polis could pay tribute to Athens in return for protection.• Athens used the money to build

a powerful navy.

Payments to the Delian League were equal to about $200 million

in modern currency!

RIVALRY

• In name, League was to oppose the Persians.• In reality, Athens had habit of using League

power for its own interests.•Weaker League states became unhappy with

Athens, and started allying with Sparta instead.

RIVALRY

• Sparta lead the Peloponnesian League.• As unhappy Delian League states joined the

Peloponnesian League, Sparta gained more power.• Athens & Sparta became rivals.• Rival: competing for superiority.

• Eventually led to war in 431 BCE.

END