Athens and Sparta were the two most powerful city-states in Ancient Greece. Athens had a democratic government where citizens could vote, while Sparta was ruled by two kings in an oligarchy. Boys in Athens were educated but could choose their path, whereas Spartan boys underwent mandatory military training from age 7. Athenian girls received some education at home but had limited roles, while Spartan girls underwent physical training to become strong mothers of warriors. Athens valued creativity and intellectual pursuits, unlike Sparta which focused solely on obedience, military prowess, and discipline.

1. A I M : LIFE IN ATHENS VS. LIFE IN SPARTA

2. POLI Athens and Sparta were
S
probably the two most
famous and powerful city
states in Ancient Greece.
However, they were
both very different.
ATHENS SPARTA
A I M : LIFE IN ATHENS VS. LIFE IN SPARTA

3. GOVERNMEN
EVOLUTION OF GOVERNMENT
T
Athens’ Government
was a democracy. They
MONARCHY were the first to do this.
Sparta’s Government
OLIGARCHY
was ruled as an oligarchy
K E Y W by two kings.
O R D: DEMOCRACY
A system of government in
K E Y the people D: OLIGARGY
which W O R have a say in the decision
DEMOCRACY
Both governments were
making.
A system of government in which
elected by the people.
a small group of citizens control decision SPARTA
making.
ATHENS
A I M : LIFE IN ATHENS VS. LIFE IN SPARTA

4. A BOY’S LIFE Athenian boysboys did not
Spartan could
go into the to work or be
have army or
navy if you wanted to.
educated but trained to be
warriors from a young
Boys trained to be
warriors at age 7.age.
Boys had to join the
Spartan army.
SPARTA
ATHENS
A I M : LIFE IN ATHENS VS. LIFE IN SPARTA

5. A GIRL’S Although they were not
Girls were not regarded
LIFE
Girls didby to fight, girls took
allowed have anything
as important not the
to do with in allbusiness or
part war, the training
Athenians. Girls could be
education.
because fit ladies
taught at home. (if they
produced fit babies, who
had in Sparta were to
rich parents)
Girls would fight!
grow up to be the
mothers of warriors.
SPARTA
ATHENS
A I M : LIFE IN ATHENS VS. LIFE IN SPARTA

6. CREATIVIT Athens was a very creative
Y
city state. They
believed in a good
education…for boys.
Sparta was very
focused on obedience
and war …not
luxuries.
SPARTA
ATHENS
A I M : LIFE IN ATHENS VS. LIFE IN SPARTA

7. REVIE Q: How would you
diagram What kind of the of
Q: Q:Q: do was Athens’
Q: Why theyou thinksay
W
What would you
How progression
Q: How doeslike America’s
governmentwere oligarchy
was the an able in
Athenians biggest to
forms of government
government did Athens
differ from a monarchy ?
spend Athens? on
governmenttime
more today?
difference between
have?
government then the
Athenian boys and
Athenian girls and
Spartans?
Spartan boys?
Spartan girls?
A: Monarch  a
A: We have
A: In a monarchy only one ruler
A: TheyA: Athenians placed
had a democracy, a
Oligarchy probably
representative democracy
A: Athenians girls In an
holdsA: Athenians boys were
supreme power.
government which spreadmore
importance the
less Democracy.on
that spreadspeople lessas
ledpower topower to
oligarchy a fewquieter, join to
not trained the people.
much primarily
ruling the military.
people.
rule.
physically active lives.
soldiers.
ATHENS SPARTA
A I M : LIFE IN ATHENS VS. LIFE IN SPARTA