Athens and Sparta: Compare & Contrast

Questions and Answers

What kind of government did Athens have?

Democracy (correct)

Theocracy

Oligarchy

Monarchy

What kind of government did Sparta have?

Democracy

Monarchy

Oligarchy (correct)

Dictatorship

What was the economy in Sparta based on?

Farming and conquest

What was the economy in Athens based on?

Trade Signup and view all the answers

Who could be a citizen in Athens?

Male, 18+ years old, born in Athens, no females or slaves Signup and view all the answers

What were the two parts of government in Sparta?

The Council of Elders and the Assembly Signup and view all the answers

What were the two parts of government in Athens?

The Council of 500 and the Assembly Signup and view all the answers

Women in Athens could own property.

False Signup and view all the answers

Women in Sparta could own property.

True Signup and view all the answers

What was the job of Athenian women?

Stay home, manage the house, educate young male children, teach household tasks to female children Signup and view all the answers

What was the job of Spartan women?

Expected to be strong and ready to fight Signup and view all the answers

Did girls learn to read and write in Athens?

False Signup and view all the answers

Did girls learn to read and write in Sparta?

True Signup and view all the answers

What might you see in the agora in Athens?

Food, household goods, clothes, slaves Signup and view all the answers

Why was education important in Athens?

They believed people needed to be smart to be good citizens and needed their citizens to run the government. Signup and view all the answers

Why was education important in Sparta?

They taught kids to fight; they had to protect the city-state. Signup and view all the answers

What were the jobs of slaves in Athens?

Household, tutors, craftsmen, clerks, worked farms and factories and in mines Signup and view all the answers

Why did Sparta treat its slaves harshly?

The Spartans were afraid the slaves would revolt. Signup and view all the answers

Which city-state was primarily a military state?

Sparta Signup and view all the answers

What was Oligarchy?

A small group of people who rule a country Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Athens vs. Sparta: Key Comparisons

Government Structure
Athens operated as a democracy, allowing citizens to participate in governance, whereas Sparta was governed by an oligarchy, where power rested with a select few individuals.
Economic Practices
The Athenian economy thrived on trade facilitated by coinage, making transactions simple. In contrast, Sparta relied on agriculture and conquest, using iron bars as currency which complicated trade.
Educational Focus
Athenian education aimed to cultivate well-rounded citizens, with boys learning subjects such as reading, writing, mathematics, poetry, and physical education. Spartan education was centered on training warriors, starting from a young age for both boys and girls.
Women’s Rights
Women in Athens had limited freedoms; they could not choose husbands, socialize freely, own property, or venture outside unaccompanied. Their roles confined them to managing households and raising daughters. Conversely, Spartan women enjoyed greater autonomy, owning property, wearing simple clothing, and receiving physical training.
Slave Treatment
Athenian slaves often performed varied roles, including skilled professions, while Spartan helots faced harsh treatment despite having some rights like marriage and potential freedom. Spartans feared helot revolts, leading to their strict control.
Geographical Context
Athens was situated in the region of Attica, while Sparta was located in Peloponnesus.
Government Assemblies
Athens had a Council of 500 and an Assembly of 6,000 citizens. In Sparta, the government comprised the Council of Elders and an Assembly, which included two hereditary kings.
Civic Participation
Requirements for Athenian citizenship included being male, 18 years or older, and born in Athens, excluding women, slaves, and foreigners. In Sparta, to be on the Council of Elders, one needed to be male, from a noble family, and at least 60 years old.
Role of Slaves
Athenian slaves were involved in numerous sectors, including households, education, and skilled labor. They held varied levels of respect depending on their roles. Spartan slaves were primarily farmers and laborers, treated with suspicion due to fears of insurrection.
Trade Dynamics
Athens encouraged trade through accessible markets and ports, enhancing economic growth. On the other hand, Sparta discouraged external trade to prevent new ideas and threats to their oligarchic rule.
Women's Social Life
Athenian women were largely confined to domestic roles with no choice over marriage partners, while Spartan women had the agency to choose husbands and were expected to be physically capable.
Military Focus
Spartans primarily identified as soldiers who lived for military excellence. Education and societal systems in Sparta were designed to foster a robust warrior culture.

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Description

Explore the distinct governments and economies of Athens and Sparta through these flashcards. This quiz highlights key differences in their political structures and economic practices, providing insight into ancient Greek society.