HIST 1421: GREEK AND ROMAN CIVILIZATION
Instructor Patrick Harris
June 17, 2023
Introduction
Sparta and Athens were the most significant and dominant city-states in ancient Greece. Despite their influential status, Sparta and Athens differed greatly in their governmental systems and cultural values. Sparta placed immense importance on maintaining a strong military, with all male Spartans being obliged to undergo lifelong military training. Conversely, Athenians highly valued art, architecture, and education (National Geographic Society, 2022).
Moreover, Sparta and Athens, recognized as poleis or city-states in Greece, held the most power, prominence, and influence compared to other cities in the country. They also played pivotal roles in the development of dictatorial and democratic forms of government within their respective territories.
How did people in Athens and Sparta obtain the right to participate in public life and make decisions affecting the community? Who held public office? What
…show more content…
In both city-states, laws proposed by influential groups had to be approved or rejected by the assemblies. Both Spartans and Athenians had political structures that catered to the privileged aristocracy, such as the magistrates in Athens and the Gerousia in Sparta. However, Athens and Sparta had distinct forms of government. Sparta, with the Gerousia's authority to determine the laws and topics discussed in the assembly, is considered an oligarchy, where a small group rules the state. Conversely, in Athens, every free male had the opportunity to engage in debates and vote on legislation, leading to its classification as a democracy. Brand asserts that in Athens, the principle of "one man, one vote" ensured that the majority resolved all issues (n.d., p