Athens and Sparta City-States
University of the People
Author Note This paper is being submitted on November 13, 2015, for
Hist 1421: Greek and Roman Civilization Learning Guide Unit 1
Athens and Sparta City-States
Introduction:
In Ancient Greece, citizenship was very important in both Athens and Sparta. Only adult male citizens could participate in public life. Sparta was a militaristic community and Athens was a philosophical and economic minded city-state. Modern societies have modeled government organizational structure and military discipline from these ancient cities and there is much is to be praised regarding their progressive thinking and birth of democracy. However, I think it is important to remember that in both …show more content…
While history describes them as fierce warmongers and violent shrews, I think we need to consider the skill and talent the women exhibited to be able to run the farms, and manage the slaves while the Spartan men were out soldering. The women of Sparta had no rights as citizens, but they had a free hand while their men were away. (Brand, n.d., p. 7) If not for the talent and the boldness of these women, when the warriors came home, there may not have been a city-state to return to. Sparta was not a fortified city, they were villages and farms. (Brand, n.d., p. 2). The women and their warrior’s reputation protected the people of Sparta while the men were at war. Because of this latitude, even though they could not directly participate in public life, I believe the women of Sparta had an indirect influence on public life, definitely more than they are credited. On the other hand, the women of Athens could not participate in public life or make decisions about the community. Women of Athens had absolutely no rights. They were expected to marry and bear children and for the most part were kept in seclusion. ("Women in Ancient Greece," n.d.). I find this paradoxical considering the Athens was named after Athena the goddess of wisdom and …show more content…
The idea that leaders would trust their citizens, albeit a select few, to make decisions and choices about their life style is amazing as well as the discipline involved to establish a military force with no physical infrastructure in incredible. We need to respect our past and learn from their successes. However, we also must recognize the limitations and not romanticize the past to the point we ignore its shortcomings. These ancient cities neglected a large number of their people, and approved of slavery and subjugation of women. As long as one class dominates and discriminates against another, as a world society we have work to do and more to achieve in our organizational infrastructure and our cultural
University of the People
Author Note This paper is being submitted on November 13, 2015, for
Hist 1421: Greek and Roman Civilization Learning Guide Unit 1
Athens and Sparta City-States
Introduction:
In Ancient Greece, citizenship was very important in both Athens and Sparta. Only adult male citizens could participate in public life. Sparta was a militaristic community and Athens was a philosophical and economic minded city-state. Modern societies have modeled government organizational structure and military discipline from these ancient cities and there is much is to be praised regarding their progressive thinking and birth of democracy. However, I think it is important to remember that in both …show more content…
While history describes them as fierce warmongers and violent shrews, I think we need to consider the skill and talent the women exhibited to be able to run the farms, and manage the slaves while the Spartan men were out soldering. The women of Sparta had no rights as citizens, but they had a free hand while their men were away. (Brand, n.d., p. 7) If not for the talent and the boldness of these women, when the warriors came home, there may not have been a city-state to return to. Sparta was not a fortified city, they were villages and farms. (Brand, n.d., p. 2). The women and their warrior’s reputation protected the people of Sparta while the men were at war. Because of this latitude, even though they could not directly participate in public life, I believe the women of Sparta had an indirect influence on public life, definitely more than they are credited. On the other hand, the women of Athens could not participate in public life or make decisions about the community. Women of Athens had absolutely no rights. They were expected to marry and bear children and for the most part were kept in seclusion. ("Women in Ancient Greece," n.d.). I find this paradoxical considering the Athens was named after Athena the goddess of wisdom and …show more content…
The idea that leaders would trust their citizens, albeit a select few, to make decisions and choices about their life style is amazing as well as the discipline involved to establish a military force with no physical infrastructure in incredible. We need to respect our past and learn from their successes. However, we also must recognize the limitations and not romanticize the past to the point we ignore its shortcomings. These ancient cities neglected a large number of their people, and approved of slavery and subjugation of women. As long as one class dominates and discriminates against another, as a world society we have work to do and more to achieve in our organizational infrastructure and our cultural