Sparta and Athens
Ancient Greek history was dominated by two city states: Sparta and Athens. In one it was important to
be athletic, tough, and strong, enduring hardships and following orders. The other city is valued
education, science, mathematics. Singing or playing an instrument was admired. Both city states had
military strength and they both played important roles in the defense of Ancient Greece.
Background on Sparta: Needing land to feed a growing population, Sparta conquered their neighbor
Messenia taking control of a large fertile area to grow crops. Messenia revolted almost defeating Sparta
but Sparta was able to hold on. Reviewing their situation, the Spartans realized that they were
outnumbered 10 to 1!! It was only a matter of time before the Messenia’s would rise up and conquer
Sparta. Solution: the Messenians were turned into slaves called helots. They worked small plots of land
owned by Spartans growing food, only keeping a very small amount for their family. The life of the
helots were miserable, labor was long and hard with barely enough food to survive.
Sparta Builds a Military Society
Spartan society was dominated by the military to keep revolts from happening again. The Spartans
believed that military power was the way to provide security and protection for their city. Daily life in
Sparta reflected this belief.
When a child was born, government officials decided whether the boys or girls were healthy and strong.
If the baby was not healthy, it was taken outside the city and left to die. At the age of seven, every male
Spartan was sent to military and athletic school. As part of the training, they ran, jumped, swam, and
threw javelin to increase their strength. They also had to learn to endure hardships that they would face
as soldiers. For example, they weren’t given shoes or heavy clothes, even in winter. They weren’t given
much food either.
Males became soldiers at the age of 20. Soldiers between the ages of 20 and 30 lived in army barracks
and only saw their families occasionally. They stayed in the army until the age of 60. The Spartans
believed that the most important qualities of good soldiers were self-discipline and obedience. Soldiers
lived tough lives free from comforts. Each soldier was granted a piece of land farmed by the helots.
Spartan Women
Because men spent so much time away from home, Spartan women had more rights than other Greek
women. They ran the household while their husbands were away, and some even owned their own
land. Although women did not go through military training, they had to be in top physical condition. The
Spartans believed that this would help give birth to strong, healthy babies.
Spartan Government
Sparta had 2 kings, a council which proposed new laws, an assembly that approved new laws, and a
small group of 5 men known as the Ephors. These men led the council, ran the military, ran the
educational system, infant selection system, and had the power to veto everything coming out of the
assembly and council. Sparta was basically an oligarchy run by the Ephors.
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Athens
Like Sparta, Athens had been a leader in the Persian Wars with a powerful military. But life in Athens
was very different. The Athenians valued education, thinking, and the arts.
Boys and Men of Athens
Athenian boys from rich families were educated and had physical training. Like Sparta, they ran, jumped,
and learned to fight. But it was not as harsh nor did it last as long as Sparta. Unlike Sparta, the men in
Athens did not have to devote their whole life to the army. All men had to join the army, but only for
two years from the age of 18 to 20. Older men only had to serve during war.
Education
Athenian students learned to read, write, and count, play musical instruments, and studied the Iliad and
Odyssey as well as other Greek literature. A few from very rich families had private tutors to continue
their education in philosophy, astronomy, geometry and other subjects. They were also trained to be
public speakers. This prepared them to participate in the Athenian assembly. Few boys had this
opportunity; most got little education and become farmers.
Athenian Women
Girls were not educated and men did not think they needed to be educated. Most girls learned
household tasks and had no rights. Women could not participate in government, leave their homes, buy
anything or own property, disobey husbands or fathers.
Athenian Government
Athens created a democracy which means rule by the people. All free men living in Athens were
members of the assembly and allowed to vote. A council called the Council of 500 was established which
would propose laws. Every citizen over the age of 30 was eligible to sit on this council. Each year the
members would be chosen by lottery. In 487 BC, ostracism was added to their government. The
Assembly could vote on expelling citizens from the state for a period of ten years. This would guarantee
that individuals who became too powerful or a threat would be removed.
These two city states could not be more different. Sparta was ruled by 5 Ephors, Athens was a
democracy. Sparta’s economy was based on slavery and dominated by military training. Athens relied on
trading and exporting products. Also, Athens became a center of arts and literature, and architecture.
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Name ________________________________________________________ Date ____________ SS#___
Answer the following questions using complete sentences in the space below. You may attach another
sheet if necessary.
Sparta
1. What problem did Sparta face that forced it to become a military state?
2. Who were the helots and what was their life like?
3. Describe the life of a Spartan boy from birth to age 60. Include major events and ages.
4. What was valued in Sparta? Why?
5. What type of training did women get in Sparta? Why?
6. How and why were Spartan women more free than other Greek women?
7. Describe the Spartan government? Explain who had the control?
Athens
8. What powers did the Council of 500 have?
9. Describe how the Athenian Council was chosen.
10. What was ostracism and how was it important?
11. What did the Athenians value?
12. What couldn’t women do?
Total:
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Name ________________________________________________________ Date ____________ SS#___
Answer the following questions using complete sentences and attach another sheet if necessary.
Background on Sparta:
1. Who did Sparta conquer?
2. Sparta was outnumbered ___________ to ____________.
3. Who were the helots?
Sparta Builds a Military Society:
4. What happened when a child was born in Sparta?
5. Age became a soldier: ______________ Age left the military: ________________
Spartan Women:
6. Why did the Spartans want the women to be strong and healthy?
7. What were some of the things that the Spartan women did?
Spartan Government:
8. The Ephors was an __________________ since only 5 people were in charge. (Think flip chart)
Athens:
9. What did the Athenians value?
Boys and Men of Athens:
10. Age became a soldier: _______________ Age left the military: ________________
Education:
11. What did Athenian students learn in school?
Athenian Women:
12. What couldn’t women do?
Total:
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