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Each city-state ruled themselves and made their own decisions. As a result, Sparta and Athens were very different places to live. They were the two most powerful city-states out of thousands. Athens and Sparta had different ideas on the way to run a city-state. They often disagreed and went to war. However, sometimes they would join together as allies (or friends) to help each other out.
Each city-state ruled themselves and made their own decisions. As a result, Sparta and Athens were very different places to live. They were the two most powerful city-states out of thousands. Athens and Sparta had different ideas on the way to run a city-state. They often disagreed and went to war. However, sometimes they would join together as allies (or friends) to help each other out.
Read below about each city-state and watch the videos. Then, complete the notes on your study guide.
Read below about each city-state and watch the videos. Then, complete the notes on your study guide.
Sparta
Sparta
Sparta was an oligarchy, so a few people made all the decisions or laws. Spartans focused on military skills. While the Spartans trained really hard, the slaves they captured in war did most of the actual work in the city-state. Spartan leaders feared Spartans might someday rebel. Therefore, they were very strict with everyone that lived in Sparta.
Sparta was an oligarchy, so a few people made all the decisions or laws. Spartans focused on military skills. While the Spartans trained really hard, the slaves they captured in war did most of the actual work in the city-state. Spartan leaders feared Spartans might someday rebel. Therefore, they were very strict with everyone that lived in Sparta.
At age 7, boys left their family to train for war and were sent to a military camp. They were harshly treated to make them tough. Spartan boys were often starved or not given enough food to encourage them to fight others for food. This was done to make them strong. They were also encouraged to lie, cheat, and steal. This would make them good at strategy and to focus on being better than others. At age 20, the men served in the regular army and lived in an adult camp for 10 more years. At age 30 they could return home to live a normal life, but still had to train for combat and report to fight if needed until the age of 60. All Spartans were taught to win or die on the battlefield, but never ever to surrender. One Spartan mom supposedly told her son, " Come home carrying your shield or being carried on it."
At age 7, boys left their family to train for war and were sent to a military camp. They were harshly treated to make them tough. Spartan boys were often starved or not given enough food to encourage them to fight others for food. This was done to make them strong. They were also encouraged to lie, cheat, and steal. This would make them good at strategy and to focus on being better than others. At age 20, the men served in the regular army and lived in an adult camp for 10 more years. At age 30 they could return home to live a normal life, but still had to train for combat and report to fight if needed until the age of 60. All Spartans were taught to win or die on the battlefield, but never ever to surrender. One Spartan mom supposedly told her son, " Come home carrying your shield or being carried on it."
Women in Sparta were also expected to be in top physical shape. This would make them better mothers. They trained by doing many sports - horseback riding, javelin, discus, and running.
Women in Sparta were also expected to be in top physical shape. This would make them better mothers. They trained by doing many sports - horseback riding, javelin, discus, and running.
Spartans were not allowed to leave the city-state without the approval of the government and they did not let visitors in without government approval. The government did not want to risk their tough, strong citizens seeing or hearing that life might be better in other city-states.
Spartans were not allowed to leave the city-state without the approval of the government and they did not let visitors in without government approval. The government did not want to risk their tough, strong citizens seeing or hearing that life might be better in other city-states.
Athens
Athens
Athens was more interested in education and trade than in winning. They still had a military but did many other activities too.
Athens was more interested in education and trade than in winning. They still had a military but did many other activities too.
Since education was more important than fighting to the Athenians, boys had multiple teachers that shared with them the subjects of reading, writing, math, sports, and music. They believed this helped them become a good citizen and make good decisions later.
Since education was more important than fighting to the Athenians, boys had multiple teachers that shared with them the subjects of reading, writing, math, sports, and music. They believed this helped them become a good citizen and make good decisions later.
Athenian girls stayed home and learned chores like cleaning, weaving, and sewing. In some rich families the girls learned to play a musical instrument but Athenian girls did not go to school like the boys. Their main focus was life at home and they were often treated like property.
Athenian girls stayed home and learned chores like cleaning, weaving, and sewing. In some rich families the girls learned to play a musical instrument but Athenian girls did not go to school like the boys. Their main focus was life at home and they were often treated like property.
Their biggest achievement was in government. Athens organized the very first democracy ever. In Athens, all male citizens could vote. Athens also had a council made up of 500 citizens to help make laws, deal with other city-states, and decide how to spend taxes. This council was chosen by lottery each year so it would not favor popular or rich people. Athenians even had a court system where accused people were innocent until proven guilty.
Their biggest achievement was in government. Athens organized the very first democracy ever. In Athens, all male citizens could vote. Athens also had a council made up of 500 citizens to help make laws, deal with other city-states, and decide how to spend taxes. This council was chosen by lottery each year so it would not favor popular or rich people. Athenians even had a court system where accused people were innocent until proven guilty.
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