Lesson Essential Questions:
• 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 compare and contrast Spartan
culture?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.