Unit 4-4 Comparing Athens & Sparta

Women were educated and trained in sports.

Viewed the Persian Empire as an enemy.

Allowed women to own and sell property.

Most girls received little education & learned to run a household from their mothers.  Some educated to be priestesses.

Had a big influence on future generations including the Founders of the United States.

Avoided trade and relied on helot slave labor to provide everything they needed.

Professional military that required mandatory service for males from age 7-60.

Balanced government included a diarchy (two kings), an oligarchy (Council of Elders) and part democracy (Assembly).

Men lived public lives while women stayed home and ran the household.

Strongest army in Greece.

Wanted to be the dominant Greek city-state.

Strongest navy in Greece.

Engaged in trade with Egypt, Italy, coast of Anatolia and areas surrounding the Black Sea

Women were passive citizens since they did not serve in the military.

Wealthy women expected to be good wives and mothers.  Some became priestesses.

Women lived at home and men over age 7 mostly lived in barracks until age 60.

Poorer women worked outdoors on farms or sold goods in markets.

Military was a citizen militia.  Two years of mandatory service for citizenship and then only served when needed.

Boys education included science, philosophy, literature, art, architecture, logic, debate, reading, writing & arithmetic

Girls education focused on physical strength and reading

Open society.  Outsiders were welcome to come & share what the city-state had to offer but visitors denied citizenship

In order to be an active citizen military service was required.

Boys education taught military skills, reading, duty and discipline.

Government was a direct-democracy. 

Closed society.  Outsiders were not welcome for extended periods.  No immigration.