Carolyn Shaw

History 103
Mr. Holt
Athens VS. Sparta
Most people would think Athens was better than Sparta others would think otherwise.

Sparta was fierce and protective. Spartan girls received education and they had more freedom.

Athens’s government was a democracy their citizens were free to make their own decisions.

Meanwhile Sparta was an oligarchy with two kings.

Athens was an important city in Ancient Greece. Athens was located on a peninsula that

stretches southeastward into the Aegean Sea. Both parts of Athens government had leaders

who were elected by citizens. Athens is where democracy was first established. Athens has

experienced almost every form of government before actually settling with being a democracy.

Athena and Poseidon connected for the title of the guardian of the city. Athena’s olive

tree was deemed more valuable than the salt water spring given by Poseidon. Athena’s name

was given to the city-state. Athens represented millennia of architectural styles. As a city dating

back to antiquity. Athens is an interesting case study of architecture and is home to a variety of

styles.

In Athens slaves could walk and go shopping with their owners. Besides most of the

fighting Athens was mostly a peaceful place. Athens was also Europe’s oldest capital which goes

back 3,400 years ago. Athenians were mostly interested in comfort and their culture. Athens

had their own Olympic games which was called the panatheraic games, since 566 B.C.
 Sparta was a warrior society that reached the height of its power after defeating rival

city-state Athens. Sparta’s culture was mainly based on loyalty to the state and the military

services. By age 7, Spartan boys entered a rigorous state sponsored education. Spartan men

were required to stay fit and ready to fight. Being chubby was not an option in Sparta.

Spartans considered themselves the birthplace of the hero Hercules. Sparta became

very powerful during the 5th century B.C. Sparta was focused on producing good soldiers. The

Spartan army won victory over the Persians in 480-479 B.C. Even though the kings of Sparta

came from royal bloodiness, they were still judged as civilians and held to the same laws of the

community. Those who failed to meet standards of physical fitness were beaten and censured.

Both Athens and Sparta had their own slaves. The women in Athens and Sparta could

not take part in government. The citizens of Athens and Sparta had the ability to vote and

choose their own government. Both Athens and Sparta had an assembly, whose members were

elected by the citizens. Sparta was ruled by 2 kings who rules until they died. Athens were ruled

by archons who were elected annually.

In conclusion, I am very undecided on who is better Athens or Sparta. Athens was free

and had a say so in most of their lively choices. Athens treated their citizens kind of fairly unlike

Sparta who was all about the military life. Sparta’s citizens may not have gotten the best

treatment but the children did get a very good education. Sparta also had strong land army and

protection. Athens rulers or governments were chosen by the citizens. Spartans also believed

the women sports made them strong and great mother.