Athens and Sparta

Two cities in conflict

I. A Spartan Life

• Spartan boys were raised to endure pain and learn to survive with very little food

• Life was harsh and cruel

• The Spartans were tough, silent and grim

• Because of many wars, Sparta turned into an awesome war machine

• Sparta’s motto was “Always put your city’s needs above your own.”

II. Growing Up in Sparta

• Only the healthiest children were raised

• At age 7, boys left their mothers to live in barracks with other boys to train as soldiers

• Training lasted for 13 years

III. Girls in Sparta

• Girls also trained and competed in wrestling and spear throwing

• Strong girls would produce strong children it was believed

• Women were allowed to own land and take part in business

IV. The Persians Invade

• By 520 B.C. the Persians controlled the Greek colonies on the west coast of Asia Minor

• In 490 B.C. thousands of Persians gathered at Marathon to face a small Athenian army

• For several days both armies stared intensely at each other

• Athenians rushed without warning and defeated the Persians killing 6,400 and losing only 192 of their own soldiers

V. The Athenian Empire

• After the Persians were defeated, Athens influence spread over much of Greece

• Many city-states allied themselves with Athens

• These city-states gave their allegiance to Athens

VI. Sparta and Athens at War

• Over time, city-states grew angry at Athens• Many paid tribute, money, for protection, but

Athens spent it on the Parthenon and other buildings

• Athens and Sparta went to war in 431 B.C. • The war lasted for 27 years, called the

Peloponnesian War

VII. The Fall of Athens

• Early in the war, Athens was struck by a plague

• Over one third of the population died

• Sparta staged a blockade surrounding the harbor and Athens could not receive food shipments

• Athens surrendered in 404 B.C.