Sparta & Athens

World History

Sparta

Invaders from north conquer land No natural defenses

– Built in valley, not on hillVery unique among poleis

– Became very militarized in order to survive and persevere

Sparta

3 social groups– Equals

Descendants of original invadersOwned land and ran the city-state

– Half-citizensWere free, paid taxes, served in armySome farmed, some tradedSome even became rich

Sparta

3 social groups– Helots

Descendants of original conquered peopleBecame slaves to equalsGreatly outnumbered free Spartans

– Terrorized in order to prevent uprising– Hated the Spartans

Sparta

Government– Two kings

One led army, other led government

– Council of EldersProposed laws and served as criminal court

– AssemblyAll male citizens over 30 years oldAccepted or rejected proposed lawsElected ephors to oversee the kings

Sparta

Life in Sparta– Lives controlled from birth to death– Every adult male part of the military

To keep helots in lineTo defend and expand Sparta

– Unhealthy babies left to die

Sparta

Life in Sparta– Boys leave home at age 7 to live in

military barracksReading, writing, military trainingTrain for war from 18 to 20

– Military service begins at age 20Allowed to marry

– Can move home at age 30Allowed to engage in business

Sparta

Life in Sparta– Available for military service until age 60

Though few Spartans ever made it this far

– Lives devoted to the state instead of themselves

Athens

Develops very differently than Sparta Little good farmland, turned to the sea

for fishing and trading Went to coined money in 600s BC

– Helped encourage more trade Build Piraeus as port for goods

– Origin of the term “pirate”

Athens

3 social classes– Citizens

Free adult landowning men could vote and hold government office

– MeticsBorn outside AthensFree taxpayers but couldn’t vote or hold office

– SlavesViewed as natural and necessaryPeople captured in war

Athens

Government– Monarchy to aristocracy– Met in assembly

Elected generals in time of warCouncil of 9 archons

– Served one year terms

Athens

Government– Laws

First written by archon tyrant Draco– Very harsh --> Draconian laws

Solon– Worked to bridge gap between rich and poor by

erasing debts and outlawing slavery for failure to pay them off

– Made Athens more democratic

Athens

Government– Democracy

Began by tyrant CleisthenesCouncil of 500

– Separated Athenian population into 10 tribes– Each tribe elected 50 men to represent it– Proposed laws to the popular assembly– Assembly voted to accept them or not

Direct vs. representative democracy