ipl-logo

Comparing The Government Structures In Ancient Athens And Sparta

533 Words3 Pages

A Comparative Analysis of the Government Structures in Ancient Athens and Sparta
Introduction
The city-states of Athens and Sparta were two significant entities in ancient Greece, both contributing to the Greek civilization in their unique ways. While both city-states shared some commonalities, they also exhibited notable differences in their governmental structures, particularly in terms of public participation and public office holding. This paper aims to compare and contrast these aspects of Athenian and Spartan government, while also discussing the rules governing public office selection. Additionally, the paper will highlight the similarities and differences in their overall governmental structures.
Public Participation in Athens and Sparta
In …show more content…

This system aimed to ensure that all citizens had an equal opportunity to hold public office, regardless of their social or economic status (Ober, 2008). However, some critical positions, such as generals, were elected through a popular vote.
In Sparta, the government was headed by two hereditary kings who belonged to the royal families of the Agiads and Eurypontids. The other significant public office holders were the ephors, five annually elected officials who held significant powers in the Spartan government. In addition to the kings and ephors, Sparta had a council of elders called the Gerousia, consisting of 28 men over the age of 60, who were elected for life (Cartledge, 2002).
Similarities and Differences in Governmental Structures
Both Athens and Sparta exhibited certain similarities in their governmental structures, such as the presence of an assembly responsible for decision-making. Additionally, both city-states had a council that played a significant role in governance, with the Athenian Council (Boule) and the Spartan

Show More
Related
1229 Words | 5 Pages

Zareef Peeroo Tim Bailey October 15, 2014 Athenians vs. Spartans The differences between government, the role of women, and the education status of Athens and Sparta led to similar yet very different societies residing in the same area; therefor I will deconstruct these issues using an analytical comparative framework. In, Athens and Sparta, it shows all the differences between the Athenians and the Spartans. Although the two City States shared a common heritage, their differences grew so large in their own minds that they were ultimately willing to engage in a life-and-death struggle to support their separate realities (Spielvogel).

Read More
795 Words | 4 Pages

Second, due to the government in Sparta Sparta was more organized than Athens. Athens used a form of government called a Democracy, ruled by the people. Since the people of Athens may have different opinions, leading

Read More
628 Words | 3 Pages

How did people in Athens and Sparta obtain the right to participate in public life and make decisions affecting the community? In Athens the assembly was made up of every adult male citizen of 20 years. It met 2 to3 times a month and voting could be done on the day. This was the way the Athenian participated in public life and made decisions affecting the community.

Read More
1701 Words | 7 Pages

Before we talk about what public life in Athens and Sparta was like, lets take a moment to relate how it came to exist. Athens around 800-500 BCE was ruled by a rich aristocratic caste that bought much of the land and enslaved local farmers (Brand, 2013, p. 17). Problems arose that required a redistribution of power to avert catastrophe, so the politician Cleisthenes was enlisted to redefine social power. Through reforms which divided the Athenian people into ten diverse provinces responsible for electing fifty political representative each, Cleisthenes cleverly balanced the power of skilled tradesmen, rich politicians and the common masses in 507 BCE (Brand, 2013, p. 19).

Read More
1597 Words | 7 Pages

The Spartan government consisted of a king, council of elders, and the Ephors. The Ephors were citizens of the state who represented and were elected by a majority of the population. Every citizen was eligible to be elected as an Ephor. Compared to the United States government, the Ephors are likened to the legislative branch of government because they “determine suits about contracts” (Aristotle). Noble people made up the council of the elders who were essentially the judicial branch of the government because they were the “judges of homicide” (Aristotle).

Read More
504 Words | 3 Pages

Unlike the Romans, Athenians had a strict but fair schedule that allowed them to enjoy citizenship equally. Equally, hard workers have brought Athens power just as much as hereditary leaders. According to Document B all citizens should be allowed to speak their opinion and have a share in election because of the hard work they do to make the city powerful. Athenians allowed poor and common men to win a position in government which was a transition from the wealthy having power to everyone having power.

Read More
1489 Words | 6 Pages

Every portion of the government directly represented its people - from the Council of 500 to the Ecclesia and the Court and Jury System - and citizens were payed and thus incentivized to participate in the system. They did their best to make an equitable system with the allocation of members through the 10 tribe system, the potential for scrutinization for any member of the government, and the randomization of jury members for trials. The Greeks were a tier above their Roman counterparts when it came to

Read More
721 Words | 3 Pages

Today, many of the world’s government structures were based on the principle of one of Greece’s city-states. Greece became a country advancing well before its time, strong in both military and brain power. This country was able to produce two city-states that became foundations to advancing the rest of the world. The first city-state, Athens, is thought to be the first to implement a democratic government while Sparta became known for their military power. While Athens and Sparta provide the world with advancements they differ in the ways of government structures, social motivations, and cultural differences.

Read More
885 Words | 4 Pages

Governing has never been a simple job, even less-so during the times of ancient Athens and Sparta. Both equally were ahead of their time by giving their people an actual voice and weight when making decisions. Unfortunately, neither of these civilizations lasted the great length of time. However, the political footwork they laid out has become the cornerstone of what we now know our societies to be built upon today. How did people in Athens and Sparta obtain the right to participate in public life and make decisions affecting the community?

Read More
1292 Words | 6 Pages

In this essay, I would like to answer and discuss the following questions: How did the people in Athens and Sparta obtain the right to participate in public life and make decisions affecting the community? Who held public office? What rules governed the selection of public office holders? How were two city-states similar in their governmental structures and how did they differ with each other? For the Spartans the right to participate and made important decisions from the entire community were only exercised by the adult and legitimate male citizens of Sparta.

Read More
710 Words | 3 Pages

Ancient Greece was a land of many States, called poleis. Each polis had its own government, laws, rulers and customs. There were two different major forms of government, Oligarchy and Democracy. The two city-states that best represented each form of government were Sparta (Oligarchy) and Athens (Democracy). Athens democratic government was decently equal, fair to its citizens and advanced for it time.

Read More
711 Words | 3 Pages

Sparta vs. Athens To begin with, Athens and Sparta were both famous in antiquity for their legend, cultures and the character of the people. On the one hand, the two poleis share certain obvious affinities, such as language, geographical scope, a common Greek ancestry etc. On the other hand, they were polar opposites in many aspects, from social spheres, political structures, to military might, which I believe there are some hidden depths in these city-states. Hence, let’s look at how did their people obtain the right to participate in public life and make decisions affecting the community, and who held public office first.

Read More
1424 Words | 6 Pages

The Spartan Empire Spartan Government: An oligarchy system was adopted in Sparta. In the oligarchy system, few people has the power to rule. Sparta also had an assembly just like Athens, but the main decisions were taken by the “Council of Elders” with two kings and twenty-eight other men as its members. The two kings where born within the royal family while the twenty-eight man where elected by the assembly. For men to be elected to the Council of Elders, they had to be at least 60 years old and approaching from a noble family.

Read More
1255 Words | 6 Pages

The Polis and Ancient Greek Life To the Ancient Greeks, the Polis was the center of their way of life. From socializing to conducting business to even deciding whether to go to war, the Polis was a very important aspect of the Greek’s lives. In the essay, the functions of the Polis will be discussed along with how the Polis managed to bring about the formation of Democracy, with the Polis of the city of Athens being the main example. The importance of the Polis will be explored through this essay because without the Polis, Democracy as we know it may not have ever formed. In ancient Greece, the Polis was the center of everything, consisting of the main town, but also farms and villages surrounding the polis.

Read More
893 Words | 4 Pages

History 1421 Week One Written Assignment University of the people Abstract This week, as a prompt for our written assignment we were given five questions relating to the text provided as week one’s reading material, “Athens & Sparta: Democracy vs. Dictatorship” by Dr. Peter J. Brand; how did people in Athens and Sparta obtain the right to participate in public life and make decisions affecting the community, who held public office, what rules governed the selection of public office holders, how were the two city-states similar in their governmental structures, and how did they differ.

Read More

More about Comparing The Government Structures In Ancient Athens And Sparta

Related Topics

Open Document