Ancient Athens and Sparta were powerful Greek city-states known for their military and government systems. Athens relied on citizen soldiers that fought in a tight phalanx formation, while Sparta focused on military excellence and discipline. Athens was a democracy with direct citizen participation, and Sparta was an oligarchy prioritising state needs over individuals. Their influence remains prominent today.
The military system of Ancient Athens was essential to the city-state's survival and success. The Athenian military was based on a system of citizen soldiers, who were expected to defend their city during the war. The Athenian army comprised citizens selected by lot to serve for one year. These soldiers were known as hoplites and were heavily armoured infantry soldiers. They were armed
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However, only male citizens over 18 were allowed to vote on important issues and proposals; women, enslaved people, and foreigners were not allowed to vote or participate in the political process, a limitation of Athenian democracy. Overall, the decision to have a "democratic society" still was a significant development in the ancient world, as kings or oligarchies ruled many societies. The Athenian government was led by a group of officials called magistrates, who the citizens elected. The most potent magistrates were the strategoi, who was responsible for Athens's military and foreign policy. This ensured that the people had a say in how the city was governed and allowed for delegating responsibilities to those with the necessary expertise. As a result, the government of Ancient Athens was highly influential, not only in its own time but also in the modern world, where it served as a model for democracy. Moreover, its emphasis on direct citizen participation and the rule of law has been adopted by many countries worldwide, making it a lasting legacy of the ancient