ipl-logo

What Are The Similarities Between Athens And Sparta

788 Words4 Pages

The ancient Greek city-states of Athens and Sparta are often regarded as the quintessential examples of two distinct forms of governance in the classical world. Athens is celebrated for its early democratic system, while Sparta is known for its militaristic and oligarchic society. This paper aims to explore the similarities and differences in the governmental structures of these two influential city-states, with a particular focus on political participation, public office holding, and the rules governing the selection of public officials.
How did people in Athens and Sparta obtain the right to participate in public life and make decisions affecting the community? In Athens, public life was limited to free adult men who were Athenian by birth. …show more content…

This excluded periokoi, helots, slaves, and freeborn Spartan males who had lost their citizenship rights. The popular assembly, which met monthly, had limited power due to the influence of the Ephors and Gerousia. Despite the myth of Spartan equality, significant class and social differences existed among citizens. Spartan society was dominated by an aristocratic class that was superior to common Spartans, and there were two hereditary kings. Spartan females were not citizens and had no political rights. The Syssitia, a military dining system, reinforced these …show more content…

In Athens, only free male citizens who met certain age, citizenship, and wealth requirements could hold public office (Brand, 2010). A citizen needed to be at least 30 years old and have enough wealth for the position. The highest positions, like the ten elected generals, were usually held by wealthy aristocrats. Men from lower financial classes could serve in minor roles. Each year, around 900 men were selected for various positions, along with hundreds of jurors. These minor officials and jurors were chosen through a random lottery system. In Sparta, the Gerousia, an elder council of men over 60, and the Ephors, five annually-elected magistrates, held public office (Brand, 2010). Ephors served one-year terms, handling judicial matters, military organization, and foreign relations. Spartan aristocrats, upon turning 60, were eligible for the Gerousia, a lifetime membership limited to 30 members. The Assembly's power was curbed by the Ephors and Gerousia, who controlled the topics discussed and could veto decisions.
How were the two city-states similar in their governmental structures? How did they

Show More
Related

Government System: Athenians Vs. Spartans

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

Analysis Of 'Paul Revere's Ride'

1000 Words | 4 Pages

What comes to mind when you hear the name Paul Revere? What comes to mind when you hear the word Revolutionary? Well, the definition of Revolution means to have a completely new change on something. Do you think Paul Revere was a revolutionary type of man? Speaking of Paul Revere, do you think that his letter to Jeremy Belknap was more reliable, or his poem by Henry Longfellow?

Read More

Understanding Athenian And Spartan Governmental Structures

612 Words | 3 Pages

Only Spartiate men had the right to participate in public life because they were full citizens and sprung from old Spartan families (Cartledge & Spawforth, 2001). The majority of the people were barred from political decision-making, including helots (state-owned slaves) and perioikoi (non-citizen free inhabitants). Holders of Public Office: Athens: Public office holders in Athens were chosen from the citizenry by a combination of election and sortition. Many government positions, including as the council and the assembly, were available to all qualified residents. Some posts were filled through a vote, while others were filled through a lottery.

Read More

How Did Lycurgus Change Ancient Greek Society

374 Words | 2 Pages

These classes were characterised by specific factors that: dictated the social standing of an individual; were based on several factors including the nationality of the individual and their birth circumstances; and dictated the individual’s profession. The three social classes were: the Spartiates; the Periocei; the Hypomeiones; and the Helots. The Spartiates were full spartan citizens, aged over 30 and were functioning members of the Ekklesia. The Periocei were non-spartan citizens which resided in the areas in and around Lakonia. The hypomeiones, or ‘inferiors’, was a disgraced class that was filled with mostly spartiates who failed to fulfil their obligations or the Parthenai, the children of unmarried spartan mothers.

Read More

Social And Economic Structure Of Spart Spartan Women

933 Words | 4 Pages

The Helots were the lowest social class in the Spartan society, and the inferiors were neither slaves nor citizens. In the economic class, the kings commanded the Spartan army when sent out by the people. The Assembly had the power to declare war and choose the king to the lead the army. The Spartan women were trained to be fit companions,

Read More

How Did Cleisthenes Respond To Public Life?

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

Spartan Women Research Paper

611 Words | 3 Pages

Sparta and Athens are the most famous city-states in Greece. The two cities are governed differently regarding social life, political system, education, economy, and religious view. In the ancient period, the role of women differed from one country to they other based on the differences in government's system. Mainly, the role of women was differnce between athens and sparta. Moreover, both have different setups in women’s power and women’s right.

Read More

Compare And Contrast The Edicts Of King Ashoka And Spartan Government

1597 Words | 7 Pages

The king was the executive branch of government and was usually a general who had success in war. The poor citizens, the majority, had representation in the government which helped keep them content and prevented rebellion and civil war from occurring. The system Sparta had in place allowed the government to have a system of checks and balances which prevented any one person from having all the power. While the Spartan government did have a system of checks and balances, the structure led to

Read More

The Importance Of Citizenship: Why Athens Was The Better System

504 Words | 3 Pages

Based on information provided in Document E all of Athens citizens were eligible to attend The Assembly. Athenians chose their officials and had an executive committee that oversaw the Assembly in contrast to the Roman Senate that passed down through heredity of the oldest Roman families. Athenians had opportunities to speak out and voice their opinion for a better way of life however the Romans did not. In addition, Document C states that in the Roman Republic not all citizens received the same rights or political participation, whereas in Athens all citizens had full rights and political participation. In Rome, citizenship was given out freely but was unfair and in measured amounts.

Read More

200 Bushel Men Vs Athenian Government

332 Words | 2 Pages

In Athens, the write to participate in public life meant that you had to be a free adult male citizen that was born to Athenian parents. Woman had no rights to participate in public life. The Boule in Athens had a structure which was determined by how wealthy a citizen was in accordance to how high of a public office that was held. There were three main categories, 500 Bushel men, 300 Bushel men and 200 Bushel men.

Read More

Athens Vs Sparta Compare And Contrast

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

Similarities Between Athens And Sparta

670 Words | 3 Pages

The most important positions were the ten generals, who were responsible for leading the military and overseeing foreign policy. These positions were filled by election, and the general assembly could remove generals from office if they were deemed incompetent or corrupt. Other important positions included the magistrates, who oversaw the administration of justice, and the archons, who had executive powers. In Sparta, public office was held by a select group of citizens.

Read More

Compare And Contrast The Government Structures Of Sparta And Athens

737 Words | 3 Pages

Firstly, most of the public officials of Athens were selected by lot, and they could serve a one-year term twice, albeit not in successive years. Secondly, they had to go through the examination process called dokimasia, which was to ensure the candidate had the particular qualifications, before taking their duties (Rothchild, 2017). In Sparta, Ephors were chosen by the assembly, and they could only serve a one-year term in office (Brand, 2010). Gerousia should be over the age of 60 years old, wealthy and elite, but only 30 members could serve at a time, two of them automatically chosen as the two kings of Sparta (Brand, 2010). The similarities and differences of the two city states in their governmental structures Athens and Sparta shared the common rule of the right to citizenship and participation in public office.

Read More

Essay On Spartan Government

1292 Words | 6 Pages

Therefore, their parents must be full-blooded Spartans. The form of government of Spartan was military totalitarian. The government governed by the selected few among the legitimate male citizens. In short, to obtain the absolute right to take part in running the political system, one must be born with Spartan parents and it should be an adult male ages 30 and above. On other hand, to the Athenians all free adult men

Read More

Polis In Ancient Greek Life

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

More about What Are The Similarities Between Athens And Sparta

Related Topics

Open Document