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What Are The Similarities Between Athens And Sparta

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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

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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.

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