1. Comparing Athens to Sparta

2. SPARTA GOVERNMENT ATHENS COUNCIL (The Boule) ASSEMBLY (The Ekklesia)
Athens was a democracy with 2 main governing bodies.
COUNCIL (The Boule)
Your research showed two numbers for this. The Council of 400 was later made into 500.
RESPONSIBILITIES: The council took care of the day to day problems/issues in Athens. They were in charge of government workers and they dealt with ambassadors from other Greek city-states and decided which issues would go before the assembly.
This group was made of citizens (men) who served for 1 year.
ASSEMBLY (The Ekklesia)
RESPONSIBILITIES: 40 times throughout the year, upwards of 40,000 adult-male citizens would meet (only about 5,000 would actually meet). This group made decisions about war, foreign policy, wrote/revised laws, and approved/condemned public officials. Decisions were made by majority vote.
Athens also had a group called the Dikasteria which acted as a court system.
SPARTA
Sparta’s government was a combination of the following:
Monarchy: A ruling family
Oligarchy: A small group controls a large population
Democracy: Citizens decide on laws
2 KINGS: These kings shared responsibility. One king was in charge of the army.
GERONTIS: A group of 30 that included the kings and 28 elders of at least 60 years of age (retirement age from the army). They were elected by the people and acted as an advising body.
EPHORS: 5 elected officials that had the power to indict the kings and held the responsibility of the supreme court.
DEMOS: The assembly. Male citizens of at least 30 years whose main responsibility was electing.

3. The goal of Spartan education was to produce a strong military.
BOYS: At age 7 boys were put into military camp. Between Spartan boys would be given physical tests. If they didn’t pass, they would have zero political rights. At the age of 20 they entered the military where they would serve until age 60.
GIRLS: Girls were given physical training are were raised to be extremely tough. Although women didn’t serve in the military, they were trained to have very good combat skills.
ATHENS
The main goal was to train Athenian citizens in both art and war. Schools were small and private. Education was highly valued. You can infer that only wealthy children could attend formal education.
BOYS: Formal education began around age 6. Boys would study subjects such as language arts, music, and physical education. Boys between who were able bodied would receive military training.
GIRLS: Taught at home or by a private tutor. Girls were taught skills such as house keeping and mothering skills. Some women received a good education but most never learned to read or write.

4. ROLE OF WOMEN ATHENS SPARTA Very few choices/rights
Could not choose whom to marry
Could not own property
Citizen’s wives (respectable women) could divorce, but if they did they would lose all property and rights to children.
Women were expected to stay at home and be good mothers
SPARTA
Women could own land (they own 1/3 of all land in Sparta.
Women could also inherit and sell land.
INFERENCE QUESTION: Women were trained in combat and could own land. Why do you think this was?

5. SOCIAL CLASS ATHENS SPARTA
Athenian social class was divided into sections based on wealth.
UPPER CLASS: Male, citizens.
MIDDLE CLASS: Combination of citizen/non-citizens.
LOWER CLASS: Free men who were once slaves or from poor families.
SLAVES/WOMEN: Slaves and women were not considered citizens.
SPARTA
3 main classes of society:
SPARTANS: These were people were native Spartans, descendants of the first Spartan people. They were the only ones who could participate in politics.
**Not stated in your notes: There may have only been 8-10,000 male Spartan citizens throughout all of Sparta at any given time.
PERIOECI: Foreigners who payed taxes. They served in the military along with Spartan citizens. In charge of trade/communication with neighboring city-states.
HELOTS: Slaves who were under Spartan rule. They could earn freedom and join army.
**Not stated in notes: The vast majority of the population in Sparta was made of the Helot slaves.
INFERENCE QUESTION: Why didn’t the Helots ever revolt against Spartan rule?

6. ART/CULTURE/ENTERTAINMENT
ATHENS
Athens was the cultural center of Greece.
People could study and excel in any direction they chose
Philosophy
Art (architectural design, pottery, sculptures, fine jewelry)
Athletics
Many great architectural structures such as The Parthenon and the Theatre of Dionysus.
Many theatrical performances were done there. Actors were always men.
SPARTA
Sparta contained large monuments, buildings, and temples.
Sparta was renowned for poetry, music, and dance.
Spartan lyricists were admired throughout the world.
People from all over would travel to Sparta to watch song and dance competitions.
Not much remains from ancient Sparta.

7. MILITARY ATHENS SPARTA
Athenian soldiers were required to serve 2 years in the military.
Athenians could be called into military action at any time until the age of 60.
HOPLITES: Foot soldiers armed with swords, shields, and long lances.
Athens had a powerful navy.
TRIREME: Powerful navy ship
SPARTA
Perhaps the most iconic military in history.
Known for bravery, skill, and professionalism.
Best of the Greek hoplite warriors.
Spartan men were in the military from age 20-60
Sparta was the only Greek city-state without a wall
(INFERENCE QUESTION: What does this tell you about the Spartan military?)
Primary weapon was a 7-9 foot spear (drou)
Small sward (xiphos) with a 2 foot blade.