Section 2: Sparta and Athens The Greek World Section 2: Sparta and Athens

Spartans Build a Military Society Social system created by Lycurgus Trained boys to: Run Jump Throw javelin Boys had to endure hardships a soldier would face Weren’t given much food Allowed to steal if they could If caught, they were whipped Soldiers 20-30 lived in army barracks Men stayed in the army until they were 60

Most important qualities in a good soldier: Self-discipline Obedience Spartan women had more rights than other Greek women Also received physical training Some owned land Two kings ruled Sparta Elected officials had more power than the kings Ran Sparta’s day-to-day activities Handled dealings with other city-states Helots – slaves Grew all the city’s crops

Athenians Admire the Mind Athenian men didn’t devote their lives to the army Only joined for two years Helped defend the city between the ages of 18 and 20 Older men serves in times of war Learned to read, write, and count Boys from rich families continued their education with private tutors Philosophy, geometry, astronomy Boys from poor families didn’t get any education Became farmers and few went to work with craftspeople to learn other trades

Girls received almost no education Mostly learned household tasks Women had fewer rights than women in many other city-states Athenian women could not: Serve in government Leave their homes, except on special occasions Buy anything or own property Disobey their husbands or fathers

Sparta and Athens Fight Alliance – an agreement to work together Delian League City-state gave money to the alliance to pay for defense and protect trade in the Aegean Sea Money kept on the island of Delos Athens increased its influence over the other city-states in the league Began treating other members unfairly Used the league’s money to benefit Athens The league became an Athenian empire

Peloponnesian League Peloponnesian War Cities in southern Greece banded together, including Sparta To stop Athen’s growth, Sparta declared war This declaration began the Peloponnesian War War between Athens and Sparta that threatened to tear all of Greece apart Peloponnesian War Eventually agreed to a truce Athens kept its empire Spartans went home Few years later, Athens sent its army and navy to conquer Sicily Effort failed Taking advantage of Athens’s weakness, Sparta attacked Athens Spartans won – cutting off the supply of food to Athens completely Peloponnesian War was over Sparta was in control