Athens and Sparta were sociologically disparate across public life, public office, and government rules although similarities did exist. The right to participate in public life wasn’t available to commoners although decisions made in public office did effect communities. Consequently, public office positions within each city-state were obtainable under different rules, so different ideologies influenced civil servants managing government affairs. Furthermore, the regulations that governed the selection of public office holders also changed Athens and Sparta culture. Although the two city-states had distinct cultural ideologies, there were similarities in their governmental structure. Beyond similarities, these poleis were disparate across public …show more content…
These superpowers had an assembly of elected members who served term lengths dissimilar from their counterparts. Members of the Athenian assembly (ekklesia) were known as archons when serving their one-year terms. The ekklesia consisted of 500 people chosen from a vast number of candidates in a “lot” vote before being separated into groups of 50. While the archons served their term, they would deliberate matters of the community, military, and public life (politics). Members of the Spartan assembly (gerousia) served a similar purpose as the Athenian assembly. Their mission was to pass laws, discuss community matters, military needs, and public life (politics). The most notable difference from the Athenian structure of government were two ruling kings who served life terms. Under the kings were five Ephors who served one-year terms similar to Athens’ archons. The formation of government supported by Sparta is known as an Oligarchy while Athens is known as the first established democracy. Requirements to hold public office among the assemblies of Athens and Sparta limited eligibility into positions of public office and community decision