Athens Vs. Sparta

1. Athens Vs. Sparta Essay Prompt: How were Athens and Sparta similar or different (by PERSIA categories)? Use PERSIA categories to answer.

2. Government • Athens: • Democracy • Citizens were free men over 18 • Had to be Born to Athenian • parents (after 451 BCE) • Council of 500 met every day • Suggested new laws • Assembly of 6000 met to debate • Issues, vote on laws • Citizens are proud to serve • and proud of freedoms • Voting age is 30 • Military: Strong navy • Sparta: • Oligarchy- Ruling power in hands of • few wealthy people • Council of Elders made decisions – • Comprised of 2 kings and 28 men – • had to be 60 years old • Council had power- prepared laws • Assembly met but had no power. • Military: Strong army

3. Economy • Sparta: • Farm economy – also relied on • conquering other people • Geography was inland - trade • discouraged-Spartans were • Suspicious of outsiders • Not enough land so they took from • their neighbors • Helots (slaves) were conquered • people from other villages that • produced for Sparta. • Used Iron Rods for Money • Athens: • Based on trade • Not enough farmable land • to produce food • Geography promoted trade with • other city states – Athenians liked • to travel. • Slaves worked in mines, fields • and in households • Agora – marketplace where goods • were bought and sold (including • Slaves) • Coin system was developed.

4. Education-Intellectual • Sparta: • All children learned to fight from • around age 7, including girls. • Barracks were buildings where boys • lived and trained. • Taught to read and write but not so • Important. • Boys were taught to suffer through • physical pain –marched all day and • weren’t fed well. • At 20 – boys were given a fitness test • which determined whether they would • become soldiers. • Men couldn’t live at home with family • until age 30. • Athens: • Promoted education for boys • Beginning around age 6-7, boys • went to school. At age 18, • military training began. • Girls: Most did not learn to read • or write. Helped mothers around • The house and were married by • age 15.

5. Society • Sparta: • Women • Had rights. Spartan women could • own property, remarry if their • husbands were gone too long at • war • Athens: • Women • No rights, no jobs • Couldn’t own property • Couldn’t choose husbands • Managed households • Slaves – called Helots, had some rights • Could marry whomever they wanted • Could buy their freedom • There were more helots than citizens. • Treated harshly to prevent a revolt • Government sometimes declared • war on helots • Slaves were captured people from • Conquered villages and cities • Slaves • Most households had at least one slave • Some born into slavery, others • captured in wars • Worked in households and tutored • children • Also worked in mines and farm • fields