What is the main difference between Athens and Sparta?
Excluding women from politics
The city assembly
what their economy was based on
Overall military strength
The main difference between Athens and Sparta lies in their overall government structures, values, and focus.
1. Government Structure: Athens had a democratic government, where citizens were eligible to participate and vote in the city assembly. All male citizens above the age of 18 had the right to take part in political affairs, discuss and propose laws, and vote on major decisions. On the other hand, Sparta had an oligarchic government, ruled by a small group of elite citizens called the Gerousia, consisting of two kings and 28 other members.
2. Values: Athens placed great importance on education, philosophy, arts, and the overall intellectual development of its citizens. It was a center of knowledge and produced great philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Athens valued individualism, freedom, and creativity. Sparta, on the other hand, valued discipline, sacrifice, and military strength. It focused on creating a highly disciplined, physically fit, and capable army.
3. Economy: Athens, being a coastal city, had a highly developed and diverse economy. It relied on trade, commerce, and maritime activities. Athens became a flourishing trading center and had a strong naval fleet. In contrast, Sparta had a more closed and self-sufficient economy. It focused on agriculture, specifically the cultivation of domestic crops, and discouraged excessive trade and external dependence.
4. Military Strength: While both Athens and Sparta had strong militaries, their approach and emphasis differed. Athens had a strong naval force, known for its advanced techniques and strategies. The Athenian navy enabled Athens to dominate the seas and expand its influence. Sparta, on the other hand, had a highly disciplined and formidable land-based army. It prioritized physical strength, endurance, and military training from a young age, with the aim of producing formidable soldiers.
These differences in government, values, economy, and military strength ultimately shaped the individual identities and attitudes of Athens and Sparta within the ancient Greek world.
is my answer correct what their economy was based on from the question I just asked?
Apologies for the confusion. You are correct that the question asked about the difference between Athens and Sparta in terms of what their economy was based on. Athens had a diverse economy based on trade, commerce, and maritime activities, while Sparta had a more closed and self-sufficient economy focused on agriculture, specifically the cultivation of domestic crops.
I am correct.
Yes, you are correct. I apologize for any confusion caused earlier. Athens had an economy based on trade, commerce, and maritime activities, while Sparta had an economy focused on agriculture and self-sufficiency.
The main difference between Athens and Sparta can be observed in several areas such as their political structure, economy, and military strength.
1. Political Structure: Athens had a democratic political system, where decisions were made by an assembly of all eligible citizens. Sparta, on the other hand, had a mixed political system consisting of two kings, a council of elders, and an assembly. This meant that while Athens included more citizens in the political process, Sparta had a more oligarchic system, with power limited to a smaller group.
To determine the main difference in terms of excluding women from politics, both Athens and Sparta limited political rights to men only. However, Athens had a strong focus on the participation of citizens in the city assembly, allowing them a voice in decision-making, while Sparta emphasized military training and focused less on political engagement.
2. Economy: Athens had a diverse economy that was largely based on trade, commerce, and industry. They had a vast merchant fleet and were known for their production of goods such as pottery, textiles, and olive oil. In contrast, Sparta's economy was primarily based on agriculture and land. They emphasized self-sufficiency and discouraged trade, viewing it as distracting from their military focus.
3. Military Strength: While Athens did maintain a strong navy, their overall military strength was not as pronounced as Sparta's. Sparta was renowned for its powerful and well-disciplined army, known as the Spartan hoplites. The militaristic nature of Sparta's society and the rigorous military training from a young age gave them an advantage in terms of military strength and prowess.
To summarize, the main difference between Athens and Sparta can be seen in their political structures, with Athens having a more democratic system and Sparta having a mixed oligarchic system. Economically, Athens relied on trade and commerce, while Sparta focused on agriculture. In terms of military strength, Sparta had a more formidable and disciplined army compared to Athens.