Spartans and Athenians were two of the most important city-states in ancient Greece. Their lives differed greatly due to their different cultures and systems of governing. In terms of daily life, Spartans were known for their strict military training and emphasis on physical strength. Athens, on the other hand, was a city filled with trade and commerce. Additionally, Athens was an incubator for the arts to flourish.
The governments of both Sparta and Athens were similar in that they were both operated as oligarchies. Yet, there were key differences in how their respective governments operated. In Sparta, the government was controlled by a council of elders. In Athens, the council was made up of citizens who were elected by the people,
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In Sparta, the focus was on physical strength, military prowess, and discipline. The city was renowned for its rigid military training and the strict code of behavior that its citizens followed. In Athens, on the other hand, the focus was on education, culture, and the arts. The city was famous for its champions of thought and the arts. It was a center of learning and culture.
Spartans and Athenians viewed each other with a mixture of admiration and hostility. Spartans admired the Athenian's culture, philosophy, and art, but they felt that Athenians were too weak and lacked the discipline of the Spartans. Athenians, on the other hand, admired the military prowess of the Spartans, but they felt that the Spartans were too strict and lacking in culture.
In terms of the Peloponnesian War, the daily life of the two cities prepared them in different ways. The military training of the Spartans prepared them for the rigors of war, while the culture and education of the Athenians helped to strengthen their resolve and their ability to think critically. The emphasis on physical strength in Sparta made them well-suited for battle, while the love of culture and the arts in Athens helped to sustain the citizens during the long and difficult