what is the main difference between Athens and Sparta?
Excluding women from politics
the city assembles role.
what their economy was based on
Overall military strength
The main difference between Athens and Sparta can be characterized by the following factors:
1. Political Participation: Athens was a democracy where adult male citizens participated directly in the government, while Sparta had an oligarchic government with two kings and a council of elders. Women were excluded from politics in both city-states.
2. City Assembly's Role: In Athens, the Assembly had significant power and made important decisions, including legislation and the election of officials. In Sparta, the Assembly had limited powers and could only vote on decisions proposed by the council of elders (the Gerousia) or the kings.
3. Economy: Athens had a diverse economy based on trade, industry, and agriculture. It had a strong naval focus and was known for its skilled artisans and intellectual pursuits. On the other hand, Sparta's economy was heavily based on agriculture, particularly the cultivation of crops like wheat and barley. Spartan society had a more conservative approach to economic development and discouraged trade and wealth accumulation.
4. Military Strength: While Athens had a formidable navy, Sparta was renowned for its powerful land-based army and military strength. Spartans were trained from a young age to become fierce warriors and to be devoted to the preservation of their city-state. The military was the primary focus of Spartan society, whereas in Athens, the military played a significant role, but it wasn't the sole focus.
Overall, Athens had a more open and progressive society with a focus on culture, democracy, and trade, while Sparta had a conservative and militaristic society, placing heavy emphasis on military training and agricultural self-sufficiency.
so what's the answer
The main differences between Athens and Sparta can be summarized as follows:
1. Political Participation: Athens - democracy with active political participation by adult male citizens. Sparta - oligarchy with limited political participation.
2. City Assembly's Role: Athens - Assembly had significant powers and made important decisions. Sparta - Assembly had limited powers and could only vote on decisions proposed by the council of elders or kings.
3. Economy: Athens - diverse economy based on trade, industry, and agriculture. Sparta - economy centered around agriculture, specifically wheat and barley cultivation.
4. Military Strength: Athens - strong navy. Sparta - powerful land-based army with a focus on military strength.
In summary, Athens focused on democracy, trade, and intellectual pursuits, while Sparta emphasized an oligarchic government, agriculture, and military prowess.
The main differences between Athens and Sparta can be summarized in four aspects: the exclusion of women from politics, the role of the city assembly, their economies, and their overall military strength.
1. Exclusion of Women from Politics: In both Athens and Sparta, women were excluded from political participation. However, Sparta had a greater level of gender equality compared to Athens. Spartan women enjoyed more rights, including the ability to own property and participate in physical fitness activities.
2. Role of the City Assembly: In Athens, the city assembly was the principal decision-making body. It was an open assembly where all male citizens (excluding women, foreigners, and slaves) could participate and vote on important matters. In contrast, Sparta had two kings who functioned as the key decision-makers, with the public assembly playing a lesser role. Spartan citizens could propose and discuss matters, but the final decision rested with the kings.
3. Economy: Athens had a diverse economy based on trade, commerce, and skilled artisans. The Athenian economy thrived on maritime trade, which allowed them to accumulate wealth and develop financial systems. On the other hand, Sparta's economy was primarily based on agriculture and farming. Spartans valued simplicity and regarded farming as a noble and necessary occupation.
4. Military Strength: While both Athens and Sparta were militaristic societies, their approach and military strength differed. Athens had a powerful navy and employed a well-trained citizen army primarily for defense. The Athenians focused on naval supremacy and established the Delian League, a confederation of states to maintain their dominance. In contrast, Sparta had a strong land-based military. The Spartans were known for their disciplined and well-trained hoplites, who formed the backbone of their forces.
To obtain a more in-depth understanding of the main differences between Athens and Sparta, you can further explore ancient historical texts, consult reliable scholarly sources, or refer to educational resources like books or online articles.