Athens & Sparta Location The two city-states were about 150 miles apart Athens is in central Greece 4 miles from the Aegean Sea They loved to meet new people and gain new knowledge Location Sparta was more isolated Located on the Peloponnesus peninsula Surrounded on three sides by mountains Harbor was 25 miles away Spartans did not like visitors Government Athens became the first democracy around 500 BCE Allowed only free men to citizens Government Three leaders shaped Athenian politics 1. Solon Cancelled farmers debts Created a council of 400 (wealthy men) to write laws Let all citizens (men) vote on government matters 2. Peisistratus (tyrant) Divided up the nobles land and gave it to poor farmers Gave jobs to the poor building temples Government of Athens 3. Cleisthenes (created first democracy!) Gave assembly more power (choose generals, hear court cases, debate). Debated new laws for Athens Created a new council of 500 citizens chosen annually by lottery proposed laws, handled treasury, handled foreign affairs Women, foreign-born men, and slaves had no rights Government in Sparta The government in Sparta was known as an oligarchy A government controlled by a few people Two kings and a council of 28 elders (ages 60+) Presented laws to an assembly Council of Elders held the most power Assembly made of men over age 30 Chose 5 members to be ephors (carried out laws and enforced taxes) Government in Sparta Council of Elders Had to be at least 60 years old Had to be from a noble family Only male citizens made up the Council of Elders and the Assembly The Assembly only voted yes or no on laws There was no debate on new laws like in Athens Economy in Athens Economy was based on trade Had a close harbor Made it easier to trade with other city-states Bought and sold goods in a huge market called the agora Developed their own coins Used gold, silver, and bronze Economy in Sparta Economy was based on farming Sparta relied on slaves called helots to do all physical work Used iron rods as money Discouraged stealing Life in Athens Boys were taught Reading, writing, arithmetic sports singing Boys became citizens at 18. Girls had no education Mothers taught spinning, weaving and household duties Wealthy girls could learn to read, write, and play the lyre Life in Sparta Life in Sparta was strictly controlled to keep order Boys started training for war at age 7 Harshly treated to make them tough Joined regular army at age 20 and served for 10 years Expected to win or die, but not surrender (Come home carrying your shield or being carried on it.) Returned to Sparta at 30 but expected to serve until 60 Women trained in sports and ran households Had more rights than most Greeks Peloponnesian War After the Persian wars, Athens and Sparta became enemies. Fought for 30 years. Sparta wins, but Greek unity is destroyed.