Skip to main content
Like
Create new Glog
previous
next
Email share
548 views | 0 likes | 0 reposts
Sparta and Athens
Government Differences: Sparta had an Oligarchy consisting of two kings, a council of elders who made laws, and a council of men who made sure the laws were obeyed, and who were also in charge of educating the children. In the beginning aristocrats held the power in Athens. Then, certain aristocrats ruled over the others and there was a time of tryanny in Athens. Athenians however, rebelled against the tryants, and eventually became the first to have a democracy. Similarites: Despite the differences in the way their government operated, both the Spartan and the Athenian governements did not allow one person to have complete control.
Military Both Sparta and Athens were specialized in one area of Military. Sparta was known for its disciplined land army. Young boys were trained from the time they were seven years old. They enrolled in the army at age 20 and continued fighting until the age of 60. Spartans used their army to gain land by conquering neighboring lands. Warriors in Sparta were known as Hopelites, and they typically always wore red, usually a red cape. Men were willing to die in battle for Greece because they had been raised to believe it was their duty to Sparta. Athens was known for its navy. Athenian ships contained 170 oarsmen, soldiers, sailors, and a captain. They proved their ability when they defeated the Persian fleet. Although the Athenian navy was well respected and powerful, it is still inferior to Sparta's army.
Women's Role In Society In Sparta, makeup and other cosmetics were forbidden. Jewelry was not worn by women nor was fashionable clothing. Spartan women were chosen by men because they were physically strong, therefore women concerned themselves with excercise not cosmetics. Men prefered stronger women because the men thought that fit women would have fit children, meaning better future warriors. In Athens makeup, expensive jewelry, and the newest clothing was what made a woman considered beautiful. However, women from both city-states would compete in sports and other athletic competitions, like the men, in attempts to look their best. Their sports were seperated from the men's sports though.
Social Events In both Sparta and Athens post dinner parties were held for men. However, the protocol for these parties were different. In Sparta the party was called a "mess." Men were first evaluated before being allowed into a mess, and once you became a member of one mess you could not attend another. Food and drink were allowed in rations, and the men mainly conversed together. In Athens the parties were less strict. They were called "symposiums." Men did not have to be judged before being allowed in, and men could go to many different symposiums. During the party men ate rare foods until they were full and often got drunk together. However these parties did have a few common elements. Both in Sparta and Greek, women were not allowed to these parties, and only men of a high rank were allowed to attend. The party evenings were light hearted and relaxing. The men joked around together and chose a specific topic to discuss for each night.
In the most basic sense, Sparta and Athens are similar because they are both city-states of Greece. Both are well known for being powerful and influential in anicient Greece.
Made by Aleia Hollands 5th Period Sinco 9-28-09
