Major similarities or differences between ancient Athens and Sparta.

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Similarities and Differences Between the Governments of 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 was a direct democracy, meaning that all citizens 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 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 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 and Gender Roles Social Class Both Athens and Sparta had a stratified social system, with a clear distinction between the upper class and the lower class. 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. 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. 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. 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 of ancient Athens and Sparta were very different. Athens was a direct democracy, while Sparta was an oligarchy. Athens also had a more flexible social system and more generous gender roles than Sparta. However, despite their differences, Athens and Sparta were both powerful and influential city-states in ancient Greece. Both city-states made significant contributions to Greek culture and civilization.