Introduction Athens and Sparta, two prominent city-states in ancient Greece, had unique systems of government. Despite both being part of Greek civilization, their ways of involving people in public life and selecting leaders were quite different. In the following paragraph, I am going to examine these differences, and gain insights into the varied political landscapes of ancient Greece and the distinct values that underpinned Athenian democracy and Spartan oligarchy. Right to Participate In Athens, the right to participate in public life was given to free male citizens. They could take part in the Assembly, where they discussed and voted on laws. In contrast, Sparta is more restrictive. Only male citizens who were full members of Spartan …show more content…
Any male citizen over the age of 30 can be chosen for many public offices. Some positions, like generals, were elected, but most were chosen by lot to ensure fairness. In Sparta, public office was typically held by a small, elite group. The most important officials were the two kings, who came from two royal families. Besides the kings, there were the Ephors, five elected officials who shared power with the kings and could even depose them if necessary. There was also a council of elders called the Gerousia, made up of men over 60, who were elected for life. Selection Rules In Athens, many public office holders were chosen by lot, which was a random selection process. This method was believed to be democratic because it gave all eligible citizens an equal chance to serve. Some important roles, like generals, were elected by the Assembly. In Sparta, the selection process was less democratic. The kingship was hereditary, meaning the position was passed down through families. The Ephors were elected by the citizens, but only from the class of Spartiates. The Gerousia members were chosen based on age and experience, and they served for