Sparta took the leadership in war. The Pnyx was a hill where the Athenian Ekklesia would meet, with a speaker's platform called the "Bema", A Spartan phalanx at the Battle of Plataea. Classical Mediterranean and Europe: The Greeks. Greece was truly the leader of political ingenuity due to the many laws, ideas, trade, people, and conflicts. To begin with, Athens and Sparta were both famous in antiquity for their legend, cultures and the character of the people. Overall, Athens, a democracy, would last longer, as evident by their ruins, and Sparta, an oligarchy, would not last long because as always, an oligarchy will always Read More Art And Democracy In Ancient Greece's Creative Revolutions This was important in shaping their social status and even their life in some cases. The Athenian assembly, known as the “ekklesia”, sat to discuss political, militaristic and social matters and agendas in the pnyx. C: The mountainous topography resulted in the isolation of these city-states. Any male citizen of age 18 or above could speak and vote in the Assembly. Athens vs. Sparta In Greece, Sparta and Athens society was very different in many ways. Sparta and Athens shared similarities and differences in their systems of government, militaristic focuses, judgment and views of women. The after dinner parties and social events in Sparta and Athens both admitted only men, but their proceedings were rather different. Since about 2500 years ago in ancient Greece, and the city of Athens in the state that is different from the past authoritarian ways have developed a way to make decisions. ^^ Not entirely helpful, but sadly true. Prominent among the states that never experienced tyranny was Sparta, a fact remarked on even in antiquity. Athens is the capital and the largest city of Greece. In the Code of Hammurabi, used in Mesopotamia, almost every law that was broken was punishable by death. Sparta and Athens Sparta The distinctiveness of Sparta. Athens, being a democracy, used the masses as well as nobles, aristocrats and generals as a part of their government. Save. This was an area close by to the markets and social centre of Athens, the “agora”. D. Athens allowed all people to have a voice in the government; Sparta didn't. How did the political systems in Athens and Sparta differ? The Spartiates were the only full citizens and they owned the majority of the fertile land in Laconia and later Messenia which the helot… By contrast, the Athenians had a democratic system that was not nearly as dependent on slavery. Several thousand men were narrowed down You've reached the end of your free preview. Their ideas, habits, and daily activities were majorly impacted by the community they lived in. The Spartan equivalent of the senate was its “gerousia”, while Ephors and the Kings would regularly attend the “apella” (general assembly) to develop and try to pass “rhetrai”, or motions and decrees. THE SPARTAN CONSTITUTION. A group of scholars are of the opinion that Rome held a “democratic system, identical to the Athenian”, yet historians like Morstein dispute this theory. Sparta countered the idea of a autocrat by putting two kings in place, and an overseeing body of five Ephors. The people of Athens and Sparta were different in many aspects of their political, government and society set up and this showed in the basic way that they conducted their everyday lives. However, in this essay, the author will discuss the life if Athenians and Spartans, moreover, we discuss how each group obtained their rights to participate in public life and make decisions affecting the community. Women were judged on their physique and physical and athletic prowess. 1. Others were chosen by a method called ‘lot’ voting. Each kept the other under check, enabling no one to gain absolute power. 17 times. Sparta’s governance was centered around warfare and warriors, while Athens was centered around … How did the treatment of women d … iffer between Athens and Sparta? Decisions that affect the citizens of the state do not have a say. University of the People Answer: 3 question Discuss the political systems of Athens and Sparta. The Athenian political system was democracy whereas the Spartan one was dictatorship. Healthy and fit women would produce fit offspring, continuing the military tradition of Sparta. Why did the ancient city-states of Athens and Sparta develop different political systems? These two cities were both powerful and famous but significantly different. Political institutions of Sparta: Lycurgus: The founder of the political institution of Sparta is Lycurgus. 3 years ago. Discuss the political systems of Athens and Sparta. They were all technically Greeks and spoke the same language but they fought against each other and had their own coinage and government and often had wars with each other. Athens and Sparta were two city-states in the ancient Greece, which also had two different political systems or government. B: Foreign travelers introduced new philosophies . Furthermore, historians argue whether the people’s assemblies had a “voice” of after a certain period the elite outweighed the comitia centuriata with its power and influence. Possibly the most characteristic divide between these two great powers of the Ancient Mediterranean is their differing systems of government. Five Ephors were elected annually, accompanied by two kings, who passed on the crowns to their chosen sons. Nevertheless, affinities between the Spartan and Athenian views and roles of women are evident, as Xenophon tells us. The main difference between Athens and Sparta is that Athens was a form of democracy, whereas Sparta was a form of oligarchy. The differences are what set the two apart while the things that they shared in common are what united them as Greek city-states. Athens is seen as the birthplace of democracy – where a large number of the population had a say in state affairs and proceedings. THE LAW CODE OF DRACO. Preview this quiz on Quizizz. Compare And Contrast Athens And Sparta 991 Words | 4 Pages. Key Difference – Athens vs Sparta Athens and Sparta refer to two of the greatest cities of Greece between which many differences can be identified in terms of the lifestyles and value systems.   Athens was a bunch of panzies. In those 1,430 years, one can conclude that politics and laws would have advanced since the time of Babylon. This differed from Sparta, which did not allow its citizens any say in state matters (Knights, 2007). Other group of scholars promote the idea that patronage was the most essential part of the roman electoral system; hence campaigning is about mobilizing friends. Law forbade all Spartan males from any occupation other than that of being a soldier. In Greece, they went through three different types of government: monarchy (having one king or queen that controls everything by themselves), oligarchy (a small group of people that decides on things together) and democracy. 68% average accuracy. ATHENS AND SPARTA In Ancient Greece there were two different major forms of government, oligarchy and democracy. Question options: Athens didn't have hereditary kings; Sparta did. Also, neither employed the fundamental idea of autocracy – a sole, omnipotent ruler. The two instance of Greece cities is Athens and Sparta which both are renowned cities for their political systems. History. Athens is considered the birthplace of democracy because of the way they chose to run their city. There were over a thousand city-states at one time. Their voting system was simply a show of hands. The main difference being Sparta’s focus being on war and employing a two king system to oversee the army as well as policy at the same time. What was the main goal of Greek colonization in the Archaic Period? Three men paved the way to democracy for Athens – firstly Solon, followed by Pisistratus, and then finally Cleisthenes. I will talk about how these two city-states (Athens and Sparta) were similar in governmental structures and also address how they differed and in what ways. It is a center for economic, political, financial and culture life in Greece. Elaborate and expensive jewelry, complemented by luscious clothing were worn for seductive, and other purposes. Both forms of government ensured that every person was within the law, none could escape. Athens and Sparta. Athens had an empire, they stood up for values, they were the school of Greece, while Sparta were clinching onto their dear iron bars. Both took part in activity and took measures in order to look their best for the men of society. The Greek civilization Athens had strong adversaries. Government Differences While similar in that both cities utilized an assembly elected by the people, the two cultures also had some key differences in the form of governments they used. Sparta’s system of government was very exclusive and open to members of the only the highest social standing. Physical training was not unheard of though, and an Athenian woman exercising was not uncommon. Women in Sparta had designated arenas in which they would exercise and compete in athletic tournaments, usually secluded from the men who were out training. A. Athens didn't have hereditary kings; Sparta did. However, at the same time the two shared a number of character in common. The Pnyx was a hill where the Athenian Ekklesia would meet, with a speaker's platform called the "Bema". Other purposes of the general assembly were to vote on and pass legislation and make civil decisions. Rule by all the male citizens referred to as democracy, which is regarded as Greeks greatest contribution to modern day civilization (Democracy). How did the treatment of women differ between Athens and Sparta? Five Ephors were elected annually, accompanied by two kings, who passed on the crowns to their chosen sons. Athens and Sparta are two prominent Greek rival city-states. As per the legends of Greece, after the death of his father and then elder brother, the political horizon of Sparta became clouded. There are many examples and references are taken from their way of life and traditions. This differed from Spartas rule by the few, which allowed for much less say from the people next to none, in fact. The Spartans and the Persians, who had slightly similar military power, were in the same geographic region which put Athens … Even today, the achievements of Athenians in terms of architecture are much appreciated. The Greek civilization was an exciting period and also today people talk about it. Ancient Greece is associated as the birthplace of democracy but it is fair to say that Greece was home to various forms of governments. The reason women were scrutinized so heavily on their fitness and physical state relates to the Spartan’s equivalent of the “master race” concept. On the other hand, they were polar opposites in many aspects, from social spheres, political structures, to military might, which I believe there are some hidden depths in these city-states. Neither could attend the “palaestra” to exercise. Located in the southern part of Greece on the Peloponnisos peninsula, the city-state of Sparta developed a militaristic society ruled by two kings and an oligarchy, or small group that exercised political control. Oligarchy refers to a small group of people who govern a nation together. Democracy refers to a system of government in which every person has the right to participate. Which do you believe gave their citizens more freedom and participation in government? Two Cities.Athens and Sparta came up with different solutions to the challenges facing the early Greek poleis.In the eighth century b.c.e. HIST 1421: GREEK AND ROMAN CIVILIZATION This differed from Sparta’s rule by the few, which allowed for much less say from the people – next to none, in fact. Edit. Because of this, Sparta had the only full time army in all of Greece. the Roman women from Sparta and the Greek women from Athens were completely different. Another example that ties this conflict together is the aspect that Athens a democracy could elect such ignorant leaders who only care about their own glory. the two were in many ways similar, both dominated by aristocratic families who led the cities both militarily and culturally; however, the two cities had differences, too. Also, neither employed the fundamental idea of autocracy a sole, omnipote… Life in Sparta was vastly different from life in Athens. Authoritarian government to a person or a small group of people from the state government's decision is the type of system. ANCIENT GREECE CHAPTER 5 DRAFT. Cosmetics such as lead ‘foundation’ were common, but unbeknown to them, rather unhealthy. Athens used a form of limited democracy, where members of society served as leaders of the people. Sparta and Athens… Sparta, on the other hand, was ruled by five men with help from a council of elders. The Ancient Greek “oligos” translates to “few”, while “archia” means “rule” – ‘rule by the few’. Athens can be considered as the fountain of culture and philosophical knowledge. 5000 to 6000 men were narrowed down to a group of 500, who would then be divided into groups of 50. The agenda was set and decrees carried out by a 500 strong council, chosen by lot to serve one year each"(Finley, 1983). (n.d)). Why did ancient city-states of Athens and Sparta develop different political systems? Thus, one should not disregard the People, for they can be. Overall, Athens, a democracy, would last longer, as evident by their ruins, and Sparta, an oligarchy, would not last long because as always, an oligarchy will always. This enhanced the prestige of Sparta. In summary, Sparta and Athens may have been in great divergence to each other at their peaks during and around the Golden Age of Greece, but they possessed many parallel relationships in society. Athens and Sparta: Life in the cities Greek and Roman Civilization University of the People July, 2017 Abstract Life in the ancient world was not that different from todays, the political life was managed by a minority as well as the majority of the people was on the side following directions from the leading class. Then, the people (only male citizens back then) voted and had a huge impact on the resulting laws. The differences are what set the two apart, while the things they shared in common are what united them as Greek city-states. Copyright © 2020 IPL.org All rights reserved. While they did kill people, they also were the first direct democracy. Ares … I will also talk about who was able to hold public office and what kinds of rules governed the selection of public office holders. Those who attended the Assembly could even get some pay which was a kind of motivation to lure more citizens to participate. Jewelry was another big ‘no-no’ for Spartan women. 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