Around 750 B.C, one of the world’s longest-lasting civilizations began to form its first poleis, or city-states. This civilization, known as Ancient Greece, lasted 3,500 years and became home to influential city states such as Athens and Sparta. The poleis of Athens of Sparta were two of the most powerful city-states for completely different reasons. Athens represented the academic population while Sparta represented the militant population. These differences, along with many others, led to constant warfare between the two city-states; however, in times of foreign invasion, the two were quick to settle their differences and repel the invaders. Historically, Sparta and Athens were polar opposites, differing in matters such as their society,
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The Spartan society differed from the Athenian society in that it was a strong militant society. From the age of seven, boys were required to begin their mandatory military training. Spartans believed that the key to forming the strongest city was making sure that its entire population was strong, which gave rise to the education of women and the training of women in combat. Unlike in Athens, women were treated as equals to men in the Spartan society. Sparta’s government was known as an Oligarchy, meaning that a small group of people had control of the city. In the Spartan Oligarchy, a group of five men known as Ephores were at the top of power and answered to no one other than the Gods. Below the Ephores were two kings, who ruled in a Dual-Kingship. These kings usually derived from noble families in Sparta. The reasoning for the two kings was so that one king could not have so much power and sway politics. Since Sparta was so warlike, one king would always reside in Sparta while the other king always led the armies in times of warfare. Beneath the kings was the Council of Elders. The Council of Elders was a group that consisted of twenty-eight men aged over sixty whom had completed their military service. These men were seen as knowledgeable and were required to select the five Ephores. Below the Council of Elders were the rest of the free Spartan men. These men were responsible for voting for the Council of Elders (Martin, 1). Similar to the Athenians, Spartans were also a polytheistic people. They believed in many of the same Gods as the Athenians did; however, the one major difference was that the Spartans did not worship Athena as heavily. The Spartans heavily worshipped Ares, the God of War, and Artemis, the Goddess of the
The Spartan society differed from the Athenian society in that it was a strong militant society. From the age of seven, boys were required to begin their mandatory military training. Spartans believed that the key to forming the strongest city was making sure that its entire population was strong, which gave rise to the education of women and the training of women in combat. Unlike in Athens, women were treated as equals to men in the Spartan society. Sparta’s government was known as an Oligarchy, meaning that a small group of people had control of the city. In the Spartan Oligarchy, a group of five men known as Ephores were at the top of power and answered to no one other than the Gods. Below the Ephores were two kings, who ruled in a Dual-Kingship. These kings usually derived from noble families in Sparta. The reasoning for the two kings was so that one king could not have so much power and sway politics. Since Sparta was so warlike, one king would always reside in Sparta while the other king always led the armies in times of warfare. Beneath the kings was the Council of Elders. The Council of Elders was a group that consisted of twenty-eight men aged over sixty whom had completed their military service. These men were seen as knowledgeable and were required to select the five Ephores. Below the Council of Elders were the rest of the free Spartan men. These men were responsible for voting for the Council of Elders (Martin, 1). Similar to the Athenians, Spartans were also a polytheistic people. They believed in many of the same Gods as the Athenians did; however, the one major difference was that the Spartans did not worship Athena as heavily. The Spartans heavily worshipped Ares, the God of War, and Artemis, the Goddess of the