World History I Unit 5: Ancient Greece Athens vs. Sparta

Five Minute Writing Assignment Last class, we learned about different types of governing methods used by the Ancient Greeks in their city-states. Please identify and define all types discussed. Also, provide a response to the following question: Which form or type of government do you believe to be the most effective, and why? Please keep the following question in mind: Is America more or less democratic than Ancient Athens?

“This is Sparta!” Located in the southern part of Greece known as the Peloponnesus, and disconnected from other city states due to the Gulf of Corinth Established in a fertile valley surrounded by mountains A natural defense; Sparta also had no walls around its city, instead trusting its defense to the citizen-soldiers Created by the Dorians Reminder: Who were the Dorians?

What made Sparta a military state? Sparta conquered its neighbor Messenia in 725 B.C. and took their land The Messenians became peasants forced to farm the land and pay the Spartans half of the yearly crop These peasants were known as “helots.” Messenians, although essentially slaves, outnumbered the Spartans 8:1. Messenians rebelled around 600 B.C. Sparta barely put the revolt down

Spartan Government Sparta’s structure = diverse! Had two hereditary kings Titular roles; they were viewed as leaders in battle and religion Two groups essentially governed Sparta Assembly: all free adult males. They elected officials and voted on major items Council of Elders: proposed laws on which the assembly voted; composed of 60 year old Spartan males Five Ephors: elected officials; carried out the laws the council passed. These men controlled education and court cases

Spartan Society Tiered social structure First: citizens descended from original inhabitants (Who again?) This group included the ruling landowning families (what would we call them?) Second: free noncitizens Worked in commerce and industry (what would we call this group?) Third: helots Pretty much slaves to the Spartans; some worked in households

Spartan Men and Women Men: life was all about military training! Boys left home at 7 and went to the barracks Given tunics, no shoes, and hard benches to sleep on Given meals of black porridge Children identified as “weak” at birth were left to die on top of a mountain Women: no military training, but equally tough! Athletics: Women ran, wrestled, and played other sports Managed family estates Enjoyed a greater amount of education Did not have the right to vote Remember!: Service to Sparta was considered highest duty. Did not value arts, individual expression, or other forms of culture. Instead, they stressed strength, valor, and discipline

Athens North of Sparta; located on a rocky hill Considered the intellectual center of Ancient Greece Citizens educated to think and act as free people Athenians gravitated to philosophy, drama, and the arts

Athenian Government Class struggle in Athens: Rich vs. Poor Rather than fight, leaders instituted reforms Tried to create a democracy Citizens participate directly Who could vote? Only free adult males counted as citizens No slaves, women and foreigners Not just “no voting”; they had few rights at all Role of Athenian women: managing the household, child rearing, etc. Had no part in government or intellectual discussions

More Tyrants! Athenian commoners often fought with rich aristocrats (note: Athens was an aristocracy at this time) One tyrant, Cylon, was stopped, and as a result the people demanded a written set of laws Draco: Greek lawmaker who wrote the first legal code Code had some flaws, including debt slavery Fighting continued Aristocrats chose a statesman, Solon, to head the government and prevent civil war. Solon was given full power

Solon, continued. Credited with laying the foundations of Athenian democracy Outlawed debt slavery Made political, economic and legal changes Citizens could now participate and debate in the Athenian assembly Citizens could bring charges against others Encouraged export and trade of grapes and olives = profitable for Athens! Like Draco, though, he couldn’t do it all. Fighting continued between landowners and farmers Fighting gives rise to more tyrants, Pisistratus and Cleisthenes being two.