Athens Vs Sparta Research Paper

652 Words3 Pages

Athens and Sparta form of government both were polar opposites but similar in others. The citizens of Sparta had a unique form of government where it had two kings from two ancient families. (Brand, n.d.). To become a citizen of Sparta, like Athens, only males are given the privilege. With Sparta, the male not only had to pass their military training called the “agoge” but had to be admitted to the group called “syssition” which is a company mess that consisted of 15 men. (Finer, 1997). To maintain that membership to the group the Spartan had to contribute food monthly. (Finer, 1997) The Spartan government consisted of the Assembly which was native Spartan males who still maintained their citizen status and are over 30. (Brand, n.d.). The Assembly …show more content…

They both also have an Assembly to where all of the members can cast their vote. As for differences Sparta, the Assembly did not wield as much power when they can compare it against the Gerousia and two Kings. The power that the Gerousia and the two Kings held wielded was greater such as the group can dictate what shall be discussed. If the Assembly made a decision the Gerousia and the kings do not have to pass it. (Finer, 1997) The Athenians allowed any free native Athenian male regardless if they were poor or rich were as the Spartans if the male did not provide a monthly membership of food for their Syssition they would not be allowed to be part of the assembly. There is also a reason behind Athens and Sparta’s vast differences in government. Sparta is more military because they feared a possible mass revolt of the Helots. There were two wars that Sparta had to go through and after the Second Messenian War the Spartans were outnumbered by the Helots they controlled seven to one. (Brand, n.d.) The Athenians did not go through the kinds of battles that the Spartans went through to subjugate a group of people. After the war with Greece against Persia from Prince Xerxes Athens realized how every class of people can work together against a common foe. You would have the generals and hoplites from the high and middle class working along with the rowers of the lower class onboard Athenian triremes. (Brand,