Sparta & Athens: City-State Rivals

9.2

•Kings had power in the city-states

•Wealthy nobles began to take power

• Farmers did NOT like the nobles in charge

•By 650 BCE farmers, merchants, and artisans wanted reform

•Only land owners were citizens

•Other groups had no power

•Political unrest led to tyrants taking control

•Total authority

•Many in charge of city-states were fair rulers

•Few ruled harshly (creating the current meaning-cruel & unjust)

•Commoners supported the tyrants

•Built new temples, fortresses, and marketplaces

•Supported the hoplites [ ]

•Tyrants ruled until 500 BCE

army

•Greeks still desired to participate in government

•Even if they don’t own land

•500-336 BCE: city-states became oligarchies or democracies

•Oligarchy: ruled by few

•Democracy: all citizens shared responsibility

•Located on Peloponnesus Peninsula

•Descended from the Dorians

•Economy based on agriculture

•No oversea colonies

• Invaded neighboring city-states

•Enslaved people

•Helots: “capture”

Changing Society

• 650 BCE: helots revolted

• Epic fail

• Effect: became a military society

• Goal: create obedient and loyal citizens

• Prevent future revolts

• Stressed discipline

• Believed in simplicity

• Strength through self-denial

Spartan Boys

• Left home at 7 to prepare for life in the military

• Learned to read, write, use weapons

• Treated harshly

• Make them better soldiers

• Be able to survive war

Spartan Men

•Entered regular army at age 20

•Could marry

•Had to live in military camps

•Return home at 30

•Continued to train for combat

•Retire at 60

Spartan Women

•Had more freedom than other city-states

•Could own property and travel

•Trained in sports

•To be physically fit

•GOAL: raise sons to be brave soldiers

“Come home carrying your

shield or being carried on it”

Spartan Government

•Oligarchy

•2 kings in charge [had little power]

•1 for religious ceremonies

•1 for controlling the army

Spartan Government• Assembly

• ALL male citizens over 30

• Decided on war and peace

• Council of Elders

• Most powerful

• Judges

• Order executions

• Elected 5 ephors

• enforces law and managed taxes

Spartan Government• Strict government brought stability

•Discouraged free thinkers; new ideas

• Learning could lead to unrest

•Did not welcome foreign visitors

•Resisted change

•Discouraged trade

•Remained poor farming community

Athens: A Young Democracy

•Northeast of Sparta

•Balkan Peninsula

•Descended from the Mycenaean

Mind and Body• Education was key

• Boys learned math, music, language, and public speaking [ ]

• Sports were important

•Wanted citizens to be well-rounded

• 18: joined the army for 2 years

• Boys expected to take active role in government

Cultural arts

Athenian Women•Girls taught to care for the home

•Spinning, weaving, household duties

•Wealthy girls learned to read and write

•Expected to marry and care for their children

•NOT active in business or government

•Had to obey father and then husband

Athenian Reforms

•Went through several tyrants

•594 BCE: Solon

•560 BCE: Pesisitratus

•Cleisthenes

•Prized DEMOCRACY

Democracy• Assembly

• Major governing body

• ALL male citizens could participate and vote

• Council

• 500 members

• Yearly lottery

• Day-to-day affairs, introduced laws, controlled the treasury, relations with other city-states

Not a Citizen= Not involved

•No women

•No foreign-born men

•No slaves