Sparta and Athens 1. Living in Sparta 2. Persian Invasions 3. Conflicts with Athenian Empire

Vocabulary Sparta- a city state in the southern part of ancient Greece. Sparta- a city state in the southern part of ancient Greece. Helot- a member of a certain class of servants in ancient Sparta. Helot- a member of a certain class of servants in ancient Sparta. Peloponnesian War- fought between Athens and Sparta in ancient Greece, involving almost every other Greek City State. Peloponnesian War- fought between Athens and Sparta in ancient Greece, involving almost every other Greek City State. Plague- a wide spread disease. Plague- a wide spread disease. Blockade- an action taken to isolate an enemy and cut off its supplies. Blockade- an action taken to isolate an enemy and cut off its supplies.

Vocab page

Living in Sparta Life in Sparta was harsh. Life in Sparta was harsh. Spartans were tough Spartans were tough Dedicated to war Dedicated to war Sparta’s motto: “Put the city’s needs above your own.” Sparta’s motto: “Put the city’s needs above your own.” Early conquests resulted in a large population of helots. Early conquests resulted in a large population of helots. Fearful of a rebellion, Sparta turned to its military. Fearful of a rebellion, Sparta turned to its military.

Growing up in Sparta Life for Spartans were ruled by the government. Life for Spartans were ruled by the government. Every child was examined at birth. Every child was examined at birth. Children thought to be too weak were left to die. Children thought to be too weak were left to die. Boys were encouraged to fight. Boys were encouraged to fight. By 12 years of age boys had many hours of military training. By 12 years of age boys had many hours of military training. Boys were only given one cloak and a thin mat to sleep on. Boys were only given one cloak and a thin mat to sleep on.

Growing up in Sparta Girls also trained for battle and competed in war games. Girls also trained for battle and competed in war games. However were not expected to become soldiers. However were not expected to become soldiers. Spartan women had more freedoms than other Greek women. Spartan women had more freedoms than other Greek women. Women could own land and partake in business. Women could own land and partake in business. Life in Sparta was far from peaceful, but their brutish attitude helped to play a big role when it came time to fight the Persians. Life in Sparta was far from peaceful, but their brutish attitude helped to play a big role when it came time to fight the Persians.

The Persian Empire

The Persians Invade During the mid-500’s B.C. Cyrus the Great founded the Persian Empire. During the mid-500’s B.C. Cyrus the Great founded the Persian Empire. The Persians began taking Greek colonies along the western coast of Asia Minor. The Persians began taking Greek colonies along the western coast of Asia Minor. In the fall of 490 B.C. the Persians attacked the Athenians at the battle of Marathon. In the fall of 490 B.C. the Persians attacked the Athenians at the battle of Marathon. A small force of Athenians conquered the Persians. A small force of Athenians conquered the Persians. A young man was sent to tell the city of Athens. A young man was sent to tell the city of Athens. The only means of transportation was running. The Distance: 26.2 miles. The same distance as today’s marathons. The only means of transportation was running. The Distance: 26.2 miles. The same distance as today’s marathons.

The Battle at Marathon Valley

Marathon Hill (Tomb)

Conflict and the Athenian Empire Amazingly the Persians were defeated. Amazingly the Persians were defeated. The Athenians continued to treat their colonies and city-states with disrespect. The Athenians continued to treat their colonies and city-states with disrespect. Those poorly treated people turned to Sparta for help. Those poorly treated people turned to Sparta for help. In 431 B.C. the Peloponnesian War began. In 431 B.C. the Peloponnesian War began. 27 years later the war ended when Athens was struck by a plague and the Spartans staged a blockade. 27 years later the war ended when Athens was struck by a plague and the Spartans staged a blockade.