1. Lesson Essential Questions: How did Spartan culture prevent them from developing into a greater city-state? How did Spartan culture prevent them from developing into a greater city-state? How did Athenian culture allow the development of a powerful city-state? How did Athenian culture allow the development of a powerful city-state? How did Athenian culture compare and contrast Spartan culture? How did Athenian culture compare and contrast Spartan culture?

2.  Spartan Male Newborns  Spartan males were taken to the elders and inspected. If they were healthy, they were allowed to live.  If newborn boys were not considered healthy, they were left to die on a sacred hillside.

3.  Sparta - Young Males  At age 7, boys were sent to military camps.  Boys were trained under teenage leaders.  Their life was very organized.  Boys had one piece of clothing to wear and had to go barefoot.  Boys did not get much food. They were expected to steal food and not get caught.

4.  Sparta - Young Males  They had to walk with their eyes to the ground, and spoke only when necessary.  They learned to read, write, and used weapons.  They slept outdoors without any cover.  As they got older, punishments became more harsh.

5.  Sparta - Adult Males  Only aristocrats could be citizens.  At age 18, men would be chosen for particular army groups. If they were among the best, they were selected to join the Selected Service Brigade.  One of their tests to become a man required Spartan males to sneak up on helot and kill them and not get caught!  Spartan males were organized into messes, or a group of soldiers that live and eat together.

6.  Sparta - Adult Males  Spartan males were expected to marry around age 20.  Even though they were married, men still had to live with their mess, where they shared living expenses.  At age 30, men could live with their families, but they were still in the military.  When they were older, men would serve on garrison, or guard, duty.  At age 60, they could retire from the army.

7.  Athenian Male Newborns  Families would announce the birth of a boy by pinning olive leaves to the door. Olive leaves signified victory.  If they were not wanted, they could also be left in a public spot to be picked up and adopted or raised as a slave.  Ten days after a boy was born, there was a special ceremony to announce his name.  Boys were also presented to their father’s deme, or their village, inside Athens.

8.  Athens - Young Males  Boys began schooling around 6 or 7.  Since there were no public schools, boys either had a tutor or attended private school.  They learned reading, writing, and mathematics.  They practiced sports and memorized the works of Homer and other Greek poets.  They also learned music and practiced sports at a gymnasium.  Along with their lessons, boys would also learn the trade, or job, of their father.

9.  Athens - Adult Males  Males would become citizens at age 18.  They would go to the temple of Zeus and take an oath of citizenship in front of their family and friends.  In the oath, they promised to help make Athens a better place to live, be honorable in battle, follow the constitution, and respect their religion.  Citizens could vote.  Men would have to serve in the military for at least 2 years.

10.  Athens - Adult Males  In their free time, men could hunt to obtain more meat, especially since meat was expensive to buy.  Men in Athens would serve on juries as part of their duty as a citizen.  Men in Athens would marry later in life, around age 30.  Men would not often see their new bride’s face until after the wedding.

11.  Spartan Female Newborns  Newborn girls were inspected by their mothers to see if they were healthy.  The hope for girls were to grow strong and bear sons for Sparta.

12.  Sparta - Young Females  If they had older brothers, they would not see them after the boys turned 7.  Girls exercised and danced to keep fit.  Girls wore simple clothing, like a chiton, but they could go naked.  Helots did most of the housework, including weaving.  At age 13, girls could participate in the Heraia, or “girl Olympics.”

13.  Sparta - Females: Marriage - Adulthood  Spartan girls would marry around age 18.  Their husbands would not be able to live with them until the age of 30.  Spartan women would not see their husbands unless they snuck out of their military barracks.  Spartan women would have children.  The state, Sparta, would pay and provide their food.  The ultimate goal for a Spartan woman was to have sons and send them off to war.

14.  Athenian Female Newborns  When a girl was born, they put sheep's wool on the door to signify domestic or house life.  If a girl was not wanted, they could be left in a public place to be adopted or taken as slaves.

15.  Athens - Young Females  Girls were taught from an early age to take care of children.  A girls’ brother’s needs were put above hers since boys were valued more.  Girls did not go to school.  Girls learned to weave cloth, wall hangings, and bed linens.  If they did not need the cloth they made, they sold it.

16.  Athens - Young Females  Girls learned to run a household.  Girls were not allowed to socialize or exercise with boys because it was not ladylike.  Girls in Athens did not participate in the Heraia.

17.  Athens - Females: Marriage - Adulthood  At age 13, an Athenian girl’s childhood was over.  Girls would take their toys to the temple of Artemis and give them to her.  Girls would begin to wear a special girdle, or belt, that they had to wear until they married. This symbolized they were an adult.  Girls could marry as young as 14.  Marriages were arranged by their father, and it was common for the groom to be older, like 30 years old.  A woman was considered her husband’s property.

18.  Athens - Females: Marriage - Adulthood  If their husbands were wealthy, they would have slaves.  Women would train the household slaves.  Women did not have public roles, unless they were chosen as a temple priestess.  When a family member died, it was the females’ job was to prepared the dead for burial.

19.  Spartan Government  At first, Sparta was ruled by kings.  Later, aristocrats took over the government, and two kings ruled jointly, but they had little power.  The role of kings were to lead the army and conduct religious services.  Define aristocrats : nobles  Define oligarchy: a government in which a few people or a select group of people have the ruling power

20.  Spartan Government The Assembly  All citizens over 20 were members of the Assembly.  The Assembly made the laws and decided war and peace. Ephors  The ephors were five managers chosen by the Assembly.  The ephors managed the education of boys and took charge of public affairs. Council of Elders  The Council of Elders was made up of men over 60 and they were chosen for life.

21.  Athenian Government  At first, Athens was ruled by kings.  Later, landowners, merchants, and nobles took over the government. They formed an oligarchy.  Define oligarchy: a government in which a few people or a select group of people have the ruling power  Later still – fights broke out over land ownership. The upper class did not want fights to turn into uprisings, so they decided to change their government.  Define democracy: A type of government favoring the equality of all people.

22.  Athenian Government The Assembly  The Assembly was eventually opened to all males over 20 years old.  The Assembly passed the laws. Ten Generals  Each year the Assembly chose ten generals.  The ten generals ran the army and the navy and served as judges. One of the judges was chosen as commander-in-chief.

23.  Athenian Government Council of Five Hundred  The Council of Five Hundred handled the daily business of Athens.  Each year, members were chosen by drawing 500 names out of a pot.  No one could serve more than twice.  Every citizen had a chance to be a member.