Acropolis of Athens

two important poleis in Ancient Greek were Athens and Sparta. The two were political opposites of each other - the former with a democratic government and the latter with oligarchy. In this paper, the similarities and differences of Athens and Sparta will be discussed along with who held public office, how they were selected, and how people participated in public life and decision making. 3 UNIT 1 ASSIGNMENT - ATHENS AND SPARTA Unit 1 Assignment - Athens and Sparta in Ancient Greek 1.…

SPARTAN POLITICAL ORGANISATION: Additionally, the Lycurgan reforms brought forward a new system of government. Ancient historians Plato and Polybius, described this new form of government as a mix of democratic, monarchist, and oligarchist systems, comprised of multiple organs. The government consisted of the Ekklesia, an assembly for all Spartiates over thirty years of age; the Gerousia, an exclusive body of thirty senior Spartiates; the Ephorate, consisting of five ephors elected by the…

Despite stark differences between Athens and Sparta, both city-states constructed a hierarchical society in which a minority of privileged citizens had access to resources and public roles that was beneficial to them. Although Athens’ interest and preference in philosophy, art, cultural activities, and a form of direct democracy had a significant impact on the variety and flexibility of citizen-roles, and later, the Western governments. This is in contrast to Sparta’s militarized society which…

more cruel and harsh tyrants than good ones. This eventually caused the people in many city-states to revolt and use their strength in numbers to throw the tyrant out of power. By 500 B.C.E., a new form of government was created in the city-state of Athens. This type of government,…

Freedom, is supposed to be the basis upon which the United States of America was founded, a nation in which all beliefs and views are considered in equal measure to each other. Yet are US citizens truly free? According to the ancient Greek city-state Athens, freedom was the privilege of being civically engaged in lawmaking and everyday governance of the community. Athenian citizens would scoff at the idea that freedom is the ability to pursue happiness and pleasures, because to them those…

primary source of the Delian League, Thucydides, presents that Athens was asked to take over leadership as the Spartans were weary of sending more officers over fears of Persian corruption. (Thucydides 1.95) In contrast, Herodotus presents the narrative that Athens forcibly took over leadership of the Delian League (Herodotus 8.3.1-2). Despite this, it is sound to assume that the members of the Delian League were content with Athens taking leadership from Sparta in the beginning. Many were…

When one thinks of a revolution it is usually imagined with weapons and screaming protesters making a barricade. In Ancient Greece, a different kind of revolution was brewed, one where minds were being awoken to all the mysteries of the world. This was the revolution Socrates led amongst the youth of Greece. It was an intellectual revolution where Socrates taught new ways of thinking to the Greek population. These thoughts were mainly applied to the young people who were open to a different way…

The Peloponnesian War was a 30-yearlong battle between the Grecian cities of Athens and Sparta. Thucydides, an exiled general of the Peloponnesian War, wrote “The History of the Peloponnesian War”. In his writings, he describes three specific events that contributed to the downfall of democracy in Athens. Throughout the war, Athenian democracy shifts from an ideal that works for the people and the progression of society, to a military approach dedicated to maintaining their war by any means…

war fought by the two Greek City-states Athens and Sparta. The Athenian empire was on the rise and had control of the sea with the most powerful navy of the time, whereas the Spartans controlled the Greece mainland with the one of the most powerful armies of its time as well. The resulting conflict between the two led to a 30 year period filled with battles, treachery, and large amounts of unexpected consequences. At the conclusion of the long war, Athens was no longer the empire it had once…

Rebellion that began in the summer of 428 was between the Athens and a town on the island of Lesbos; Mytilene, that was located off the coast of Asia minor. The rebellion also grew to include most of the islands of Lesbos. The rebellion was caused by the Mytilenians believing that the Athens would eventually take over their country and their rights and decided to attack first. The Mytilenians knowing that they would not be able to win against the Athens without help, sought aid from the…