City-States of Athens and Sparta #30
Turn in Greek God Poster in the tray
in the back.
Geographical LimitationsLand cannot support a large population
Greek colonization – young Greeks settled along the
Mediterranean
Developed trade – food, raw materials, knowledge, writing
Polis or city-state
*Necessary because of
geography
*Shared heritage, culture,
religion
*Geographic isolation
*Independent self rule – no
central theocratic ruler
*Perfect size for democratic
government
MILITARY FORCE
New citizen soldier - hoplites, with iron
spears
Organized into a phalanx
Acropolis
Hoplite
Acropolis – fortified
hilltop, for meetings
and defense
Strong naval fleets
of war ships
Triremes
Phalanx
Two main city-states, very different
Sparta
Athens
Athens
Focus: Mental power (philosophy)
Knowledge and learning
Studied science
Studied philosophy
Art
“Enjoyed life”
How did the Athenians deal with the poor?
Citizenship
Justice – economic, civil
Right to vote
Poor were included
Sparta
Focus: Physical Power (Military)
Prepared to fight the helots
Military school at 7 years old
Service until 60 years old
Physical training
Trained not to think
How did the Spartans deal with the poor?
(helots)
Enslaved them
Forced them to work
Became property of the state
Had to pay high taxes
Helots: Spartan peasant/slave class
Outnumbered Spartans 10 - 1
Helots: In ancient Greece, slaves or serfs of the Spartans. They
were probably the original inhabitants of Sparta, who were enslaved
by the Dorian conquerors of that territory. The helots had virtually
no civil or political rights. They were entirely the property of the
state, which assigned them to work on the land of individual Spartans.
The helots were required to provide a certain fixed amount of produce
for their masters each year. The helots could be freed or sold only by
the state. In wartime they were used as soldiers or as oarsmen in the
galleys of ships.
Page 31
• Compare and contrast Athens and Sparta
• Due for stamp tomorrow.