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Sample Solution
Similarities and Differences Between Ancient Athens and Sparta
Government
Ancient Athens and Sparta were two of the most powerful and influential city-states in ancient Greece. However, their governments were very different.
Athens
Athens was a direct democracy, meaning that all male citizens over the age of 18 were involved in the government. The citizens would meet in an assembly to discuss and vote on laws. The assembly also elected a council of 500 citizens to oversee the day-to-day running of the government.
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Sparta
Sparta was an oligarchy, meaning that the government was ruled by a small group of wealthy and powerful citizens. This group was known as the Council of Elders, and it was made up of 30 men who served for life. The Council of Elders was responsible for making all major decisions for Sparta.
Similarities
- Both Athens and Sparta had a council of elders that played an important role in the government.
- Both Athens and Sparta had a system of magistrates who were responsible for carrying out the laws.
- Both Athens and Sparta had a military assembly that was responsible for making decisions about war and peace.
Differences
- Athens was a direct democracy, while Sparta was an oligarchy.
- The assembly in Athens was made up of all male citizens, while the Council of Elders in Sparta was made up of a small group of wealthy and powerful citizens.
- The assembly in Athens had more power than the Council of Elders in Sparta.
Social Class
Both Athens and Sparta had a stratified social system, with a clear distinction between the upper class and the lower class.
Athens
The upper class in Athens was made up of landowners, merchants, and government officials. The lower class in Athens was made up of farmers, artisans, and slaves.
Sparta
The upper class in Sparta was made up of landowners and warriors. The lower class in Sparta was made up of farmers and helots. Helots were a class of state-owned slaves who were forced to work the land.
Similarities
- Both Athens and Sparta had a stratified social system.
- The upper class in both Athens and Sparta was made up of landowners and government officials.
- The lower class in both Athens and Sparta was made up of farmers and artisans.
Differences
- The upper class in Sparta was also made up of warriors, while the upper class in Athens was not.
- The lower class in Sparta included helots, who were a class of state-owned slaves.
- The social system in Sparta was more rigid than the social system in Athens.
Gender Roles
Gender roles in Athens and Sparta were also very different.
Athens
Women in Athens had more rights and freedoms than women in Sparta. Athenian women could own property, and they could participate in religious and social activities. However, Athenian women were not allowed to participate in the government or to vote.
Sparta
Women in Sparta had very few rights or freedoms. They were not allowed to own property, and they were not allowed to participate in religious or social activities. Spartan women were also expected to stay at home and raise children.
Similarities
- Both Athens and Sparta had a patriarchal society, meaning that men were in charge.
- Women in both Athens and Sparta were expected to be obedient to their husbands.
- Women in both Athens and Sparta were responsible for raising children.
Differences
- Women in Athens had more rights and freedoms than women in Sparta.
- Athenian women could own property, and they could participate in religious and social activities.
- Spartan women could not own property, and they were not allowed to participate in religious or social activities.
Conclusion
The governments, social classes, and gender roles of ancient Athens and Sparta were very different. Athens was a direct democracy with a more flexible social system and more generous gender roles than Sparta. Sparta was an oligarchy with a more rigid social system and more restrictive gender roles.