The document provides information about the government and society of ancient Athens and Sparta. Athens was a democracy where male citizens participated in an assembly and council. Their military focused on a strong navy and boys received military training at age 18. Spartan government was ruled by two kings and a council. Their entire society was focused on military strength, with males serving as soldiers from age 20 to 60. Both cities had social hierarchies, but Spartan women had more freedom and were valued for their role in raising warriors.

1. Athens
&
Sparta
Life in the City States:

2. City-States
! What is a city-state?
! * A city-state is a city and surrounding region
that is also an independent nation with its own
army, currency, laws, and elected leaders.*

3. Athens & Sparta:
Powerful City States

4. Government in Athens
! Athens’ Government ruled as a democracy.
! They were the FIRST to ever do this!

5. Government in Athens
! Council—made up of 500
citizens chosen each year
! The citizens (men) all
belonged to the Assembly
and met weekly to discuss
problems or issues and
come up with solutions

6. Athenian Military
! Athens had a strong navy
! At age 18, all boys received one to two years military
training

7. Athenian Social
Structure
1 CITIZENS/FREEMEN
• Had full citizenship and rights
• Divided into sub-classes based on
wealth
2 METICS
• Men that were NOT born in Athens
• Not allowed to own land but could run
businesses
3 SLAVES
• 1/3 of the population
• Had no rights/freedoms
• Owned by their masters until death
CITIZENS
METICS
HELOTS

8. Women in Athens
! Expected to be good wives
and mothers ! not valued
or respected
! Little freedom
! Did not formally attend
school
! Rarely left the house
! Responsible for weaving
and “domestic arts”

9. Education in Athens
! Girls did not receive formal education
! Boys started school at age 7
! Educated in reading, writing, mathematics, gymnastics, poetry, and
public speaking

10. Lifestyle/Values in Athens
! Very creative city state with
lots of opportunities for
MALES
! Valued theatre, art,
philosophy, science
! Believed in the “good life” –
wealth and luxury

12. Government in Sparta
! City of Sparta was
strictly ruled by 2
KINGS and a
council of elders
! Very little input
from citizens
! Focused strongly on
military

13. Spartan Military
! Spartans valued their
military ABOVE ALL
ELSE
! Children were raised to
become strong warriors
for Sparta’s military
! All male citizen entered
the army at age 20 and
served until age 60

14. Spartan Social
Structure
1 SPARTIATES
• Spartan men; warriors and professional
citizens
• Had full citizenship and rights
2 OUTSIDERS/PERIOECI
• Foreigners (people born outside of
Sparta)
• Considered to be free men but could
NOT vote or serve in the army
3 HELOTS
• Individuals who had fought against
Sparta and lost
• Treated like slaves
• No rights
SPARTIATES
OUTSIDERS
HELOTS

15. Women in Sparta
! Given quite a lot of freedom
! Allowed to control and own property
! Highly valued for their role in raising future Spartan warriors
! Girls were not allowed to fight but still took part in training
because….
! FIT MOTHERS = FIT BABIES = STRONG SPARTAN SOLDIERS

16. Education in Sparta
! Valued physical strength above all else
! Boys started school at age 7 and lived in barracks (military
houses)
! Taught discipline, duty, strength, military skill
! Girls also went to school and were trained to fight
! Did not live in barracks

17. Lifestyle/Values in Sparta
! Simple life
! Valued obedience
and a powerful
military
! Spartans were
very picky about
their children