Danielle Palawasta
Athens vs. Sparta Persuasive Research Paper
Henry/Lih- LA/SS- Per. 3/7
Due: 3/22/13
Envision a world where the people are ravenous and yearning for any remnant of food they could obtain, where the society is overrun and no one has a free say. This is the type of society the ancient Spartans would have lived like unlike the ancient Athenians. The Athenians lived a far more diverse life if compared to Sparta. Ancient Athens was better to live in than ancient Sparta due to its efficient and honorable government and flourishing economy.
Primarily, ancient Athens’s efficient government was better than the ancient Spartan government due to its adroit Council, resourceful Assembly, and its direct democracy. The
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This proves to show that not only the Athenians had a trade market, but they hard one that was always occupied and in use. In comparison, the ancient Spartan economy was relied on farming and conquering other people. The ancient Spartans stole everything they needed, instead of trading. Given this information, the ancient Athenian economy was much more honest to their people, basing their economy off of trade. In addition, the Ancient Athenians were very successful in making their own currency. According to Bower and Lobdell, “Like most city-states, Athens developed its own coins to made trade easier. Coins were made of such metals as gold, silver, and bronze (Bower, Lobdell 262). The ancient Athenian currency was far more effective than the ancient Spartan currency because it was accessible to carry around. As clearly stated, Bower and Lobdell established that Sparta had “used heavy iron bars as money” (Bower, Lobdell 266). The ancient Athenians had to carry around as many light-weight coins as they wanted, whereas the Spartans had to carry weighty iron bars. Ultimately, due to its light weight capacity, the ancient Athenians’ currency was more successful than the ancient Spartans currency. Furthermore, ancient Athens had an economy that was useful to every social class. When citizens came to the agora, they usually sold and bought goods they needed. Fortunately, in ancient Athens, the agora was accessible to all
Sparta’s government was said to have a mixture of the major types of government which is oligarchy, monarchy, and democracy. While Athens seems to only have a democracy. In Document 2, an excerpt from “The Spartan Constitution” by Aristotle there’s a quote that states “they praise Lacedaemon because it is made up of oligarchy, monarchy, and democracy..” This quote tells exactly what type of government Sparta had. It’s also said that Sparta is the foundation for the governments we now have in the world. Athens on the other hand had a democracy as stated in Document 3, an excerpt from “Funeral Orations” by Pericles a quotes from this excerpt states “it is true that our government is a democracy, because it’s administration is in the hands, not of the few, but of many..” This quote clearly states that the type of government Athens has is a
Athens has a better government system then the Roman Republic. some might say the Romans were better. But Athens is more about the people; they are also more secure. They are also carful with who can be a citizen rather then "stingy". They are just more carful.
Athens was superior to Sparta because of its beneficial economy, democratic government, and well-rounded education. Economy made Athens superior to Sparta because of its trade and currency. There was not enough land around Athens for all of the citizens to farm, so trade was essential for Athens. Athens was near the sea and had a good harbor, so trade flourished. Trade helped Athens obtain the supplies they did not already have, such as grain and wood (Frey 286).
The two dominating Greek city states, Sparta and Athens, have there own strengths that make them the strongest throughout Greece. Sparta is "located in the southeastern Peloponnesus, in an area known as Laconia" (Spielvogel 53). Athens is on the peninsula of Attica (Geography). Sparta is know for their immense military might (Spartan Military). Athens is known better for their "leading naval force in Greece" (Women of the Ancient World). Their government systems were very different but very effective. Each Greek state was able to conquer a lot of land using different tactics. This brings up the thought that every country or state could be effective if all the people supported the cause. Political correctness however tends to breed idiots. With this being said, unenforced laws leads people to start thinking that they can get away with whatever they want or better yet, defy the lawful order of an officer. This can than become deadly and spread, until it cripples the system and a new one takes over. What does this new system believe in? Are they idea 's that are realistic? Or are they the idea 's of tree-hugging hippies who thinks everyone is going to "play ball." Well little does the tree-hugging hippie know, is that "The Man" who was "keeping him down" actually did know what he was talking about. Maybe the thirty plus years of military experience wasn 't complete garbage. Maybe it was keeping him and his family safe from the psychopaths and terrorists that
The Athenian and Spartan governments had extremely different approaches to life. The democratic views of the Athenians were open minded and curious, focused on development. The oligarchic views of the spartans were more narrow minded and restricted, focused on constancy. The athenian democracy distributed power very well and gave everyone a fair share in the decision being made. Athenian life was comfortable and free, the polar opposite to the cruelty of Spartan life. The Athenian democracy also used their wealth very wisely inciting the development of their civilisation. Based on the information below, the Athenian population lived a happier life.
Athens had a better government in my opinion. I think Athens had a better government because they created a democracy. According to the Athens and Sparta Document Set, a democracy means “rule by the people”. The Athens also got to abolish politicians they did not like. Athens also had ten generals, meanwhile, Sparta has two kings. In my opinion, I think that having ten generals is better than two kings because they understand you more. Sadly not all Ancient Athens were citizens, but if a free male would be a citizen if his father was a citizen of Athens. Later on, they changed that law, it was then bothering the father and mother had to be a citizen for the child to be considered a citizen. Sadly the women didn’t get that many rights but they soon they got more status. The Athens also made it to where not only the wealthy can engage in the jury service. In the Athens, you have to be an 18-year-old man to complete military training. On the other hand, in Sparta, you have to be a 30-year-old to complete military training. Basically, I’m trying to say that the Athens had a better
During the times of Ancient Greece, two major forms of government existed, democracy and oligarchy. The city-states of Athens and Sparta are the best representatives of democracy and oligarchy, respectively. The focus of the times was directed towards military capabilities, while the Athenians were more interested in comfort and culture. It was the oligarchy in Sparta that put a war-like attitude as its first priority and best met the needs of Ancient Greece. These factors empowered Sparta and led to the development of an authoritative and potent state. Other contrasting issues included women’s rights, social classes, and value of human life.
Awesome job! Your compare and contrast regarding Sparta and Athens is exceptional. I like the fact that you described many aspects of their lifestyles. In addition to Sparta’s military the individuals who chose to enlist served until the age of 60. Sparta also gained more power once they defeated the city of Athens in the Peloponnesian War. Due to the lifestyle of these individuals they were given a word in the English language Spartan which means brave and undaunted.
“Where they differed was that while the Spartans had militaristic values, Athenians were democratic,” states Mr.Duckworth in the article, “Athens and Sparta.” Athens is the better place to live because not only did they have a more comfortable lifestyle, they had much more. Athenians also wanted to get a good education, unlike the Spartans. In Athens people also had good crops from all of the rain, and in Athens everyone got a say in government.
Athens, the most famous and richest of the Greek city states dominated the ancient world for a long time. The Athenians developed, many new war tactics that were adopted by other Greek city states. Sparta was also a powerful Greek city state and one of the most feared military powers in the ancient world. Spartans grew up in a different society and used many war tactics that were different from traditional Greek warfare (Paton). At one point in time, Athens and Sparta were the most powerful civilizations in the whole world thanks to their very effective war tactics. Some strategies they used were good armor, intense training and surprise attacks. Spartans began training at a young age and were fierce fighters. Athens was rich and had a good navy. In the Persian war, Athens and Sparta worked together and ended up winning. But Athens and Sparta were two very different societies (Hayes 117). Even though the Spartans won the war the golden age of Greece ended this show how military power can make or destroy a great civilization.
Even though the Athenians and Spartans have similarities such as sharing the same language, religion, and both living in Ancient Greece they have several differences. For example, Sparta focused on military training, whereas Athens focus was on education, and the roles for men and women such as their responsibilities and daily life. For Spartans their military was one of their main priorities. It’s focus was on their army and loyalty to their state.
Ancient Greece was comprised of small city-states, of which Sparta and Athens were two. Athens was renowned as a center of wisdom and learning. The people of Athens were interested in arts, music, and intellectual pursuits. Sparta, on the other hand, was recognized for its military strength. A Spartan's life was centered on the state, because he lived and died to serve the state. Although the competing city-states of Sparta and Athens were individually different as well as governmentally diverse, they both managed to become dominating powers in Ancient Greece.
The last Olympic swimmer just touched the wall and the race has ended. Cameras are replaying every single movement from the race and a winner has been clearly decided. Just as these Olympic swimmers will gain a medal for placing, ancient Athens had numerous accomplishments of its own. Athens “prosperity … was due in large part to its stable and effective government” (SOURCE 1). When analyzing the history of ancient Athens, is easy to see how the accomplishments of a democracy, Greek philosophy, and Greek literature all shape Athens.
Athenian democracy focuses on economic advancement, while Sparta oligarchy focuses on military force. Democracy is a system of government where the citizens have the right to vote, whereas the oligarchy is when a group of people is in control of the government and it’s only their opinion and decision that are taken to consideration. Implicating the thesis that people are better served by Athenian democracy than the Spartan oligarchy, which is supported by three evidence points. Firstly, the Athenian citizen's participation in government, by voting and taking part in the government position.Secondly, the Athenian men are provided with better education by being taught how to read and write, not only focused on military training. Lastly, the Athens advancement in military protection for the safety of its citizens.
Sparta and Athens societies and values were different as well. As stated in Document E Lycurgus, lawgiver of Sparta, did not allow Spartans to leave the city. This was done because he did not want them to adapt to foreign influences. All of these values/beliefs were based on one thing, to keep the Spartan soldiers strong and disciplined. In Athens Pericles boasts about how Athens is open to all which results in cultural diffusion (Document F). When Athens had festivals everyone except for slaves