Athens vs. Sparta_________________________

From the rise of the “city state”

to the establishment of

“Classical Greece”

Complete the Venn Diagram as we go through the slideshow

Definition: City State A city-state is a region controlled exclusively

by a city, and usually having sovereignty. city-states often part of larger cultural areas,

as in the city-states of ancient Greece. Though sovereign, many such cities joined in

formal or informal leagues under a high king. In some cases historical empires or leagues were formed through conquest, but many were formed under peaceful alliances or for mutual protection - the Peloponnesian League

Athens vs. Sparta Things to compare- Locations and time period- Government and Legal Systems- Slavery and Social Roles- Roles of Men, Women, and children- Military (training and active service)- Systems and Styles of Education- Overall Strengths- Overall Weaknesses

Athens – Location and Time Period Ionian heritage By 1400 BC Athens had

become a powerful center of the Mycenaean civilization.

not sacked and abandoned at the time of the Dorian invasion of 1200 BCE

By the 8th century BCE Athens had re-emerged

central location in the Greek world

Surrounding region of Attica

Athens’ Government Echoes the general patterns of change in

various Poleis c. 600 BCE – farmers burdened with debts

– threat of prison or slavery – no voice in government so they began to protest

590 BCE – grant aristocrat Solon with “special powers”

Direct democracy (508 BC): only men over 18 could vote (called the demos), all classes in society participated

Public assembly pivotal: met 3 or 4 times a month to discuss policy

Pericles on Athenian Democracy Golden Age

Athenian Slavery

Most of the slaves were war captives

About 1/5 worked in mines while the rest has domestic lives

Protected by laws and could earn money to buy their freedom

Few slave revolts

Athens – Roles of Men and Women Women kept in seclusion and rarely

talked with their husbands– Marry and stay indoors, oversee household

and perform domestic duties Respectability was the “ideal” though education stressed for all, there

was still a lack of public education for women

Women were to be modest and teachable, did not participate in public affairs

A women’s father chose her husband Excluded by law from government and

military

Athen’s Military Focused on a strong navy

– “Tri-reams” A small but well prepared

army “oppressive policies”

alarm neighbours 478 BCE – Delian League Athens attacked by

Thebes and Sparta 30 Years Peace (14

years) before the Peloponnesian War

Athens – Strengths & Weaknesses

Pursued the Arts, architecture, education

Achieved greater artistic, intellectual and literary heights than any other polis

Free thought of primary importance

Encouraged great thinkers such as: Plato, Socrates, Aristotle

Lacked a strong military Possible for 1 person to

dominate the assembly

Sparta – Location and Time Period

Created by invading Dorian Greeks (c.735–715 B.C.). For a long time the Spartans had no city walls, trusting to the strength of their army for defense against invaders

7th cent. B.C. Sparta enjoyed a period of wealth and culture,

By the 6th cent. B.C., Sparta was the strongest Greek city.

Sparta – Government & Law Strict and uncompromising policies Oligarchy (rule by a few) -

constitutional Two kings, one for military and one

for government, both hereditary roles 5 Ephors elected each year who had

the real power Men over the age of 30 met monthly

in an assembly but it had little power Passed laws forbidding immigration,

limiting material possessions, and restricting creativity

Sparta’s Slavery Earliest Spartans enslave

the Helots – originally lived in the lower Peloponnesus.

Conquered people became slaves controlled by secret police

Needed strong military to keep slaves in line – always on alert

Slaves had no rights and worked very hard

Many serious slave revolts

Sparta – Roles of Men and Women Society of well trained, tough, athletic men, women and

children Men served in the military from the age of 7 to 50, lived

in barracks until the age of 30: bravery and obedience stressed

Women had great freedom and controlled the household – spent time outside and spoke freely with men

Largely equal rights for men and women– Able to own land and manage own property

Respect and influence as strong mothers Women publicly educated

– Choral singing and dancing, athletics (stripped just like men did)

Sparta’s Infamous Military The State was

considered more important than the individual

Reputation for being a brutal and disciplined force

Developed the “Phalanx” technique

Young men from the age of 7 were recruited to their ranks

Video: “Footsoldier”

Sparta’s Strengths & Weaknesses

Admired for loyal, brave soldiers and stable social order– but at what cost?

An obedient and disciplined society Isolated, not open to attack Efficient, but shunned “frivolity” Amazing army

– but what other contributions did they make? Could not change with the times, narrow minded

– Effects of conservative social order – keep things the same Corrupt, brutal leaders Sacrificed individuals for the state

City States & the Persian Threat

Democratic institutions, humanistic values, and cultural landmarks would have been lost if the Persians had won.

Ionian Greeks (in Persia) were forced to pay taxes

Athens and Marathon invaded in 490 BCE by Darius (king of Persia)

Athens outnumbered but victorious (particularly at sea)

The Peloponnesian War 431-404 BCE Athenian League Peloponnesian League

– Sparta as leader Pericles – Athens will win a war of

attrition (last longer) Plague in Athens (430 BCE) Athens asks for peace in 421 BCE Sparta and Thebes emerge as

dominant city states but are greatly weakened