Classical Athens Vs Sparta

Athens and Sparta were two city-states, or Poleis, that existed in the 6th century BC. in ancient Greece. They were only separated by 150 miles of land yet they were very different in areas such as their government and their cultural and fundamental values, while still maintaining some similarities, including their hard treatment of their youth and the exclusion of women from their governments. They have both even impacted the present United States in things like our current government and our pride in our right to vote, but Athens has had the greatest impact. Athens and Sparta, while primarily different, did share some similarities. For example, both city-states were very hard on their youth and the way in which they were raised. Athens …show more content…
Firstly, the two city-states had completely different governments. Athens was ruled by a direct democracy that believed in giving every male citizen, poor or wealthy, the right to vote and participate in government. Pericles said of Athens government, “Our administration places power in the hands of the many instead of the few…” (Athens C). This was very different from Sparta’s government which was an Oligarchy ruled by two kings and a “gerousia” which was a council of 28 older, wealthier men from noble families that kept the kings in check. Plato called the Spartans government, “sensible and secure” (Sparta C), in its use of the gerousia to keep the heady and eager kings in line. Another difference between Athens and Sparta was their fundamental and cultural values. Athens valued art and education, with matter of war being a secondary concern. The center of Athens was the Agora, it was, “both a marketplace and public meeting place” (Athens E), where trade and discussions on philosophy and other political matters were held. Athens also had many beautiful temples with magnificent architecture to honor many of their gods. Sparta on the other hand was solely focused on their military and discouraged any trade with outside nations that they had not conquered. Spartan men served in the military from the age of 20 to 60, after being trained from the age of seven to be …show more content…
For example the united states democracy is strongly based on Athens direct democracy. While the U.S. may have a representative democracy, in part because of its large population, there are many ties to Athens government. Athens was known to “give more power to the masses” (Athens B). This is similar to the U.S because we allow all citizens, regardless of social status or wealth to vote and participate in government affairs. In addition, Athens greatly valued their right to vote, just like the U.S. does today. In athens all who didn’t come to the Agora to vote would be gathered and brought there using a rope covered in wet red paint marking the non-voters and this red mark was a sign of great shame and ignorance. While the U.S. does not go to quite these lengths and does not require people to vote most people highly value their right to vote and often times those who choose not to are still looked down upon. Without Athens the U.S. would not have our great democracy that has made or nation so successful and we would not be where we are today. Athens and Sparta well both part of ancient greece were very different, they had different governments and different lifestyles. However they did have some similarities such as their treatment of women and the tough training of their youth. Athens has greatly influenced the United States and without them we likely

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