While Athens and Sparta both existed as prominent city-states in Ancient Greece, they differed significantly in their forms of government and societies. Athens developed into a democracy in which citizens could participate in political matters, while Sparta was an oligarchy controlled by a small group of elders. Sparta prioritized military strength and subjected its male citizens to harsh discipline and training from a young age. However, Spartan women had greater freedoms than Athenian women. Ultimately, though Sparta possessed a powerful military, its weaknesses included lack of education, short duration of less than 300 years, and abuse of children in its exclusive focus on war.

1. Athens VS Sparta Essay
During the late Archaic Greek and Classical periods, two particular city–states were in existence
with significant similarities as well as differences. These two city–states, Sparta and Athens have
unique formations of government, histories, goals, as well as societies.
After experiencing the effects of a rising population and shortage of arable land, the Spartans moved
through their mountainous western frontier in hope of seeking a new spacious land to live upon.
Their decision to change their home grounds put the Spartans in great danger as they found
themselves entering into the fertile plain of Messenia. Fearing that they may be overthrown by
power by the Messenian resistance and the helot status, the...show more content...
Thus, breaking away from the originally known practice of a political mobility they had grown to
know. In 546 B.C.E., aristocrat, Pisistratus came into power, soon strengthening his possition in the
citizens' eyes, while viewing him as the main superior figure. As his power came to a haul, he
traditionally passed the torch onto his son, Pericles, who transitioned all power into the government
and the Assembly, Council of 500, and People's Court. Thus, allowing the men of the city–state to
participate and voice their views in governmental issues. In addition to their democratic formation,
the Athens too began to become prominent in sales of wealthy painted pottery and vases, which too
was their final step in becoming a democracy.
As we look back upon the two significant differences in the governmental systems of Sparta and
Athens, there are also many other characteristics that distinguish the differences and similarities of
these two city states. The difference in land as well as population perceives a relative historical
comparison. Sparta lacked land area and was forced to seek other land in the fertile plain of
Messenia. Although, if we look at the Athens, we see that they had no issues with plentiful land, as
they possessed large and populous territory.
Another characteristic that set the differences between Sparta and the Athens were their societies.
Although
Get more content on HelpWriting.net

2. Athens vs. Sparta Essay
Athens vs. Sparta During the times of Ancient Greece, two major forms of government existed,
democracy and oligarchy. The city–states of Athens and Sparta are the best representatives of
democracy and oligarchy, respectively. The focus of the times was directed towards military
capabilities, while the Athenians were more interested in comfort and culture. It was the oligarchy in
Sparta that put a war–like attitude as its first priority and best met the needs of Ancient Greece.
These factors empowered Sparta and led to the development of an authoritative and potent state.
Other contrasting issues included women's rights, social classes, and value of human life. Four
rulers, Draco, Solon, Pisistratus, and Cleithenes, greatly...show more content...
The government in Sparta followed a very different coarse than that of the Athenians. It was
controlled by an oligarchy in which the power was held by a group of five men called ephors.
Working below the ephors was the Council of Elders and an Assembly. Male citizens over age sixty
could serve on the Council while anyone, male or female, over the age of twenty could be a member
of the Assembly. Though the citizens had little say in the decisions made by the government, the
system worked effectively. Over the years, the Spartan's brutal reputation in war grew so great that
other nations and city–states were too frightened to attack Sparta even though the Spartan army was
no larger then eight thousand men. The Spartan Constitution called for all men to begin their
military education at the age of seven, where they were trained to be tough and self–sufficient. Every
man in the army fought with a great deal of passion for his country. Life in Sparta may have been
rough, but the rest of the Greeks envied the Spartans for their simplicity, straight forwardness, and
fanatical dedication. The beliefs of Sparta were oriented around the state. The individual lived and
died for the state. The combination of this philosophy, the education of Spartan males, and the
discipline of their army gave the Spartans the stability needed to survive in Ancient Greece. The
Athenian economy depended on foreign trade and
Get more content on HelpWriting.net

3. Life In Sparta
War.... Blood.... This is Sparta
A Spartan man lies in the middle of a battle, covered in blood with his mother's determind voice
ringing in his ears, "If you can't come back with your shield, come back on your shield." Sparta had
very strong morals, and thought all should fight to the death. Even though Athens had a culture that
focused on, and valued important and strong morals, such as playwright, school, and government,
Sparta was the superior city state because of the freedom and rights they gave women, it's powerful
military and the way in which it trained both women and men to be strong citizens. Athens may
have provided a more luxurious and comfortable life, but Sparta had morals that were less harsh
towards women, and were similar to our present day ones. Athens may have provided a more
comfortable life for some, but Sparta does have many benefits,...show more content...
They were thought to be less that men, and were imprisoned in their own homes as housewives
and only came out into public during the festival of the gods. In Sparta, women were free. While
their husbands were at war, they would run the businesses and farms and take care of the family.
They could have any job they could dream of. Women could own land, businesses, houses, and
could even pick who they wanted to marry. One would think women were working hard, and
doing a lot of work, but some would say it was nothing compared to what the men were doing at
war. Spartans were very fierce fighters, and they won every battle they took on. Sparta had a very
powerful military, and the Spartans were the most feared fighters on land. Men and boys from age
seven to 30 went to train in the military. There there was no comfort and most even went without
shoes. In the military they were taught to fight and battle. Men went to the military for 23 years,
which is why Sparta had such a good military. Even though the men went to war, women were also
trained to be strong, and
Get more content on HelpWriting.net

4. Sparta DBQ Essay
Any society that abuses children should crumble .Sparta was an ancient Greek city–state. They
valued military strength above anything else. They did not teach academics, farming, or anything
else besides military tactics. The weakness outweighed strengths because they lacked education ,
they abused their children and their society did not last more than 300 years.
To begin with, The Spartans lacked education. In document D the text states, "[The Spartans]
learned to read and write for purely practical reasons: but all other forms of education they banned
from the country," Spartans were not allowed to read books or treatises. They could not perform in
plays or criticize the government. They could not form their own opinion.
Secondly, they only lasted for a little over 300 years. In the Background Essay it says, "During these
years, Sparta was under terrific pressure, fighting Athens and the same time looking over its shoulder
at a restless helot population at home. These two factors led to the Spartans down...show more
content...
In document B the text states, "[He introduced the custom of wearing one garment throughout the
year, believing that they would thus be better prepared to face changes of heat or cold]." While
training the boys were only given one piece of clothing and they weren't allowed to wear sandals
in hopes that their feet would get use to any type of land. The boys were also encouraged to steal
food but were whipped if they were caught. Not only were they whipped for stealing, but they were
whipped during the Flagellation where they were sometimes whipped to the point of death.
Although, Sparta had weaknesses they did have the strongest military of their time. The Spartan
army perfected a battle formation called the phalanx that is still talked about today. Sparta's
weaknesses still outweigh the strengths because of the reasons I listed above, they lacked education,
they didn't last over 300 years and they abused their
Get more content on HelpWriting.net