Democracy In Ancient Greece

Greece saw several different government types in its history. New governments were being established and installed to see which was the most successful in the cities of ancient Greece. Each of cities had monarchical governments implied, oligarchy, and democracy. Democracy and Oligarchy were the most successful types of Greece during that period. Athens had implemented the government of democracy, which served its people best. The people were able to vote and bring in new laws and make decisions by and for the people. Everyone also had a say in his or her city government. Oligarchy was used in the city of Sparta. Very few people ruled under the government type of oligarchy. In Sparta, there was more people, they had a larger, and more

The people were highly educated. They were more educated than the people of Sparta were. After the Persian War, the Athenians obtained a “Golden Age in Athens. The city was located near the coast. It had a great navy. It was a leading commercial center. This led to both economic and military strength. The Persian War also radicalized Athenian politics, which resulted in the growth of democracy. Democracy had grown over time in Athens” (Week 2: Section 7: Athenian Democracy). Democracy made its first appearance in 700 B.C. and lasted until 500 B.C. (Week 2: Section 7: Athenian Democracy). The military of Athens was compromised of poor farmers who fought in the Persian War (Week 2: Section 7: Athenian Democracy). In Athenian democracy, the people decided when it was time to go to war, had a say in the construction of implementing laws into their society, and had a say in the city’s economy. The people made these decisions

The Athenian women had more political freedom than Spartan women did. Women in the Athens could be politically affiliated and have a say in government. In Sparta, men were predominantly in charge of the government. A Spartan woman’s “central task was reproduction—bearing warrior sons for Sparta. However, to strengthen their body for childbearing, Spartan women were encouraged to take part in sporting events—running, wrestling, discus, even driving chariots” (Week 2: Section 8: Sparta). Athenian women had very little citizen rights. The Athenian law stated, “Women were forbidden to buy or sell land. Both the male and female could obtain a divorce but children remained with the father after the divorce. Wives spent most of their time in women's quarters, not even dining generally with their husbands” (Week 2: Section 7: Athenian Democracy). Spartan women were treated better and had much more rights and freedom rather than Athenian