Julie Choi
Sparta Vs Athens & how they contributed to Greek culture
Athens:
Athens and Sparta: Contributions to Greek Culture
Athens and Sparta were the two most powerful city-states of Greece and were intense rivals. Athens focused on trade, their navy, and seeking knowledge, while Sparta was more interested in strengthening their infantry and defending themselves from possible rebellions. Women in Sparta had more freedom than the women in Athens. While Sparta had a very simplistic and frugal lifestyle, Athens preferred their comforts. Even their government is very different, with Athens as a democracy and Sparta an oligarchy However, they both made a strong influence over Greece. Many new ideas and artistic customs spread through Greece from Athens. Ideas like tragedy and comedy plays, democracy, philosophy, and many pieces of Greek literature came from Athens.
- Their government is based on democracy, with their focus on negotiation and considering the interests of Athens's people.
- Their democracy came from an aristocrat named Solon, who was trying to compromise between rich landowners and the common people who were in debt. The wealthy were allowed to keep their land, while debt was cancelled, debt slavery forbidden and debt slaves were freed.
- Pericles was a very famous political leader of Athens, and under his leadership Athens flourished and became a hub of philosophy and knowledge. Many new ideas were born, and many famous philosophers rose within Athens.
- Political offices were open to all of the citizens of Athens, which allowed most of the general public to participate.
- Their navy was the powerhouse of their military.
- Trade from the sea allowed Athens to flourish and grow into a powerhouse with much influence in the Mediterranean.
- Citizenship only applied to free adult males from Athens, meaning women, slaves, and foreigners had no say in political affairs. Women were expected to remain at home and be taken care of by their father or husband, and when they went outside they were escorted by a companion and covered their faces to discourage men from other families from approaching them.
- Their infantry was famous throughout Greece for being powerful and well-disciplined.
- Sparta was located in the Peloponnesus region, and they aggressively conquered their neighbors and became very powerful. The natives were captured and turned into helots, people who aren't slaves but aren't free and work the land to feed Sparta. They were outnumbered more than 10 to 1 by their helots, which prompted them into training their citizens to be prepared for any event of rebellion.
- Their citizens were trained from birth to be prepared for the art of war.
- Boys were trained to be well-disciplined soldiers, while girls were trained to be strong and healthy so that they can bear strong children. Women were allowed to train, attend events, and do many things that women couldn't do in other parts of Greece, but ultimate political authority rested with the men.
- They lived a very simple lifestyle discarding all pleasures to focus on fighting and training.
- Distinction came from prowess, discipline and military talent.
Athens and Sparta: Contributions to Greek Culture
Athens and Sparta were the two most powerful city-states of Greece and were intense rivals. Athens focused on trade, their navy, and seeking knowledge, while Sparta was more interested in strengthening their infantry and defending themselves from possible rebellions. Women in Sparta had more freedom than the women in Athens. While Sparta had a very simplistic and frugal lifestyle, Athens preferred their comforts. Even their government is very different, with Athens as a democracy and Sparta an oligarchy However, they both made a strong influence over Greece. Many new ideas and artistic customs spread through Greece from Athens. Ideas like tragedy and comedy plays, democracy, philosophy, and many pieces of Greek literature came from Athens.
The Significance of Hellenistic Culture
Although Alexander the Great died before he could do much in developing his conquered lands into a unified empire, his legacy still lives on even today. His three generals took the empire and split it into three. Within these empires, trade was promoted and beliefs, values, and religion was able to spread farther distances than ever before. Many religions of salvation became popular within the empires, and speculation on there being 1 god also emerged. These religions were popular because people were searching for security in a complex world. Many philosophical ideas relating to addressing individual needs by searching for personal tranquility or serenity began to form. Grecian culture was able to spread farther than just the Mediterranean Basin, which is why even today places all over the world still show influences of Hellenistic culture. Many Greek customs traveled via the colonists from Greece, and philosophical ideas, math and science, and democracy that originated in Athens traveled to distant lands and became embraced by them.
"Rise of City-States: Athens and Sparta." Ushistory.org. Independence Hall Association, n.d. Web. 29 Aug. 2014.