1. Life in Two City-States: Athens and Sparta
Chapter 27
Life in Two City-States: Athens and Sparta

2. 27.2: Comparing Two City-States
Athens
Located in Central Greece
Athenians liked to travel
They encouraged artists to come share their knowledge of art and architecture
Developed strong relationships with other city-states
Grew powerful through
trade

3. Athens and Sparta were bitter enemies
Was more isolated
Located on a plain between mountains
Peloponnesus
Suspicious of outsiders and their ideas
Grew what they needed around Sparta
Took what they didn’t have by force
Valued strength and simplicity
Taught sons and daughters to fight
Produced soldiers instead of artists and thinkers
Athens and Sparta were bitter enemies

4. 27.3: Athenian Government Democracy Only free men could be citizens
all men over the age of 18 born in Athens were citizens
Every citizen could take part in the city’s government
Council of 500 met every day
Every year names of all citizens 30 years old and older were collected and 500 were chosen.

5. Ran day-to-day business of government and suggested new laws
Laws had to be approved by the Assembly
Met every 10 days
6000 citizens had to be present for the meeting to take place
If not enough showed up, slaves would round up citizens
Assembly
Debated and voted proposed laws
Every citizen had the right to speak
Water clock was used to time
One cup was set above another with the water dripping in the bottom cup

6. 27.4: Athenian Economy
Economy based on trade because land could not provide enough food
Traded with other city-states and foreign lands to get goods and other natural resources
Wood from Italy
Grain from Egypt
Bought and sold goods at the agora

7. Agora Coins Huge marketplace Merchants sold goods in small stands
People bought lettuce, onions, olive oil, wine, and other foods
Bought household items like pottery, furniture, and clay oil lamps
Leather sandals and jewelry were very popular
Slaves were bought and sold
Coins
Made out of gold, silver, and bronze
Image on one side had a picture of Athena, the other side Athena’s favorite animal, the owl

9. 27.5: Education in Athens Main purpose
Produce good citizens
Boys and girls were educated differently
Boys
Until 6 or 7, were educated at home
6-14, went to school
Teachers taught reading, writing, arithmetic and literature
Books were read aloud because they were expensive

10. The boys had to memorize everything
They used writing tablets
Coaches taught sports
Wrestling and gymnastics to strengthen muscles
Studied music
They learned to sing and play the lyre
At 18, they begin their military training
After their service, wealthy young men might study with private teachers
Charged high fees for lessons in debate and public speaking, which would help them to become political leaders

11. Girls
Did not learn to read or write
Grew up helping their mothers
Were taught to cook, clean, spin thread, and weave cloth
Some learned ancient songs and dances for religious festivals
Usually married around 15
Wealthy families the father chose
Poorer families had more choice

12. 27.6: Women and Slaves in Athens
Women were not considered citizens
Had fewer rights than men
Could not inherit or own much property
Could not vote or attend the Assembly
Most couldn’t even choose their own husband
Only a few had a job
Some sold goods in the market
Some were priestesses

13. Slaves Most spent their time in the home
Managing the household and bringing up the children
She had separate rooms and never went out alone
She would spin, weave, and supervise slaves
Educated her sons until 6 or 7 and her daughters until 15, when they married
Slaves
If person was not poor, owned at least 1
Some were born into slavery
Others were captured in wars

14. Performed a variety of jobs
Ran households
Tutored children
Trained as craftsmen
Worked in farms or factories
Some worked as clerks
Unluckiest worked in the silver mines.
10 hours a day
300 feet below the surface

15. 27.7: Spartan Government Oligarchy Council of Elders
Even though there was an Assembly, all decisions were made by the Council of Elders
Council of Elders
Made up of 2 kings and 28 men
The kings inherited their power and shared equally
Other 28 members were elected by the Assembly
Men had to be at least 60 years old and from a noble family
Served for life

16. Assembly Held the real power Prepared laws for the Assembly to vote on
Had the power to stop any laws passed by the Assembly
Assembly
Made up of male citizens
Met in a large outdoor area away from the center of the city
Had very little power
Did not debate issues
Could only vote “yes” or “no” on laws suggested by the Council of Elders

17. 27.8: Spartan Economy Relied on farming and conquering other people
Didn’t enough land to feed all its people
Took land they needed from neighbors
Used slaves and noncitizens to produce need goods
Turned conquered neighbors into slaves (helots)
Lived in their own villages, but had to give food they grew to the Spartans

18. Noncitizens Discouraged trade Called perioikoi Free men, not slaves
Served in the army when needed, but couldn’t take part in the government
Made necessary items such as shoes, red cloaks, iron tools, and pottery
Discouraged trade
Feared contact with other city-states would lead to new ideas that would weaken the government.

19. 27.9: Education in Sparta
Purpose was to produce men and women to protect the city-state
A baby that appeared weak might be left to die
Spartans valued discipline and strength
From the age of 7 all Spartan children were trained to fight
Girls even received military training
They learned wrestling, boxing, footracing, and gymnastics

20. Most important thing was to be a brave soldier
Spartan boys lived in barracks
They were taught to read and write
Most important thing was to be a brave soldier
Spartan boys were taught to suffer any amount of physical pain without complaining
They marched without shoes
They were not fed well and were told to steal food
At 20, Spartan men were given a difficult test of fitness, military ability, and leadership skills
Pass  become Spartan soldiers and full citizens
A man could not live with his wife and family until after he was 30 years old

21. 27.10: Women and Slaves in Sparta
Spartan women lived the same simple life as Spartan men
Wore plain clothing with little decoration
Did not wear jewelry or use cosmetics or perfume
Were expected to be strong and healthy and ready to fight
Was expected to look after her husband’s property in times of war
Guard against invaders and slave revolts

22. Women’s rights Spartan slaves
Free to speak with their husband’s friends
Own and control their own property
Could marry another man if their husband was away too long
Spartan slaves
Called helots
People conquered by the Spartans
More helots than citizens
Government sometimes declared war on the helots to stop a rebellion
Had some rights
Could marry whoever and whenever they wanted

23. Could pass their names on to their children
They could sell any extra crops after their master his share.
If they saved enough, they could even buy their freedom