Vinson Middle School

She was born full grown out of the head of Zeus. She taught man to use tools and taught his wife to spin and weave. She was the best-loved goddess on Olympus. She hated Ares, god of war, often besting him in battle. The Greek city of Athens is named after her.

He was a ruthless and murderous god, who displayed the worst of humanity’s traits. He was the patron of Sparta. He, along with grief, strife, panic, and terror, roams the earth.

Athens was one of the most important and powerful cities in Greece during the Classical period. It was also the first of the Greek city states fully to develop democracy. It was very important for Athenians to take an active part in the running of Athenian government. Perikles, the great statesman of Classical Athens, said that Athenians thought of 'a man who takes no interest in public affairs not as apathetic, but as completely useless.

Male citizens in Athens could vote on all the decisions that affected the city and serve on juries. However, democracy was not open to everyone. Citizen women and children were not allowed to vote. Slaves and foreigners living in Athens (known as metics) were banned from participating in government.

Together with Athens, Sparta is one of the best known city-states of ancient Greece, but during the classical period, it was a very different place to Athens. Sparta was ruled by two kings and a Council of Elders. There was an assembly of citizens, but this did not have the power of the citizen assembly in democratic Athens.

3 FULL PAGES (2 pages typed, 12 pt font Times New Roman Intro paragraph 2 paragraphs comparing Sparta and Athens 2 paragraphs contrasting Sparta and Athens Ending paragraph you will answer this question. Which state would you have rather lived in, Athens or Sparta? Explain why. Due November 30 th