🗡️Ancient Greece Unit 4 – Sparta and Athens

Key Historical Context

• Ancient Greece emerged as a collection of city-states (poleis) around 800 BCE following the Dark Ages
• Two of the most prominent and influential city-states were Athens and Sparta, each with distinct political, social, and cultural characteristics
• Athens and Sparta represented contrasting models of governance and society
  • Athens known for its democracy, cultural achievements, and intellectual pursuits
  • Sparta renowned for its militaristic society, discipline, and austerity
• The rivalry between Athens and Sparta shaped much of the political landscape of ancient Greece
• The Persian Wars (499-449 BCE) united the Greek city-states against a common enemy
  • Athens and Sparta played crucial roles in the Greek victory over the Persians
• The Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE) was a prolonged conflict between Athens and Sparta
  • Resulted in the defeat of Athens and the temporary hegemony of Sparta

Spartan Society and Culture

• Sparta, located in the Peloponnese region, was an oligarchic society with a focus on military prowess and discipline
• Spartan society was divided into three main classes
  • Spartiates: Full Spartan citizens who underwent rigorous military training (agoge)
  • Perioikoi: Free non-citizens who engaged in trade and crafts
  • Helots: State-owned serfs who worked the land and served the Spartiates
• The agoge was a mandatory military training program for Spartan boys starting at age 7
  • Emphasized physical fitness, obedience, and combat skills
• Spartan women enjoyed more freedom and rights compared to women in other Greek city-states
  • Encouraged to engage in physical training and education
  • Could own property and had influence in political matters
• Spartans valued brevity and directness in speech, known as "Laconic" expression

Athenian Democracy and Governance

• Athens developed the world's first known democracy in the 5th century BCE under the leadership of Cleisthenes
• Athenian democracy was a direct democracy, where citizens participated directly in decision-making processes
  • Male citizens over 18 years old could attend the Ecclesia (assembly) and vote on laws and policies
• The Boule, a council of 500 citizens chosen by lot, prepared the agenda for the Ecclesia and oversaw daily governance
• Athenian citizens were expected to actively participate in political life and serve in public offices
• The Athenian legal system featured trial by jury, with citizens serving as jurors
• Notable leaders in Athenian democracy include Pericles, who promoted the arts and led Athens during its Golden Age

Military Structures and Strategies

• Sparta's military was based on a professional army of Spartiates, trained from a young age in the agoge
  • Spartan army relied on heavy infantry (hoplites) armed with spears and shields, fighting in a phalanx formation
• Athens maintained a strong navy, which played a crucial role in its rise to power
  • Athenian navy consisted of triremes, fast and maneuverable warships with three rows of oars
• Athenian military strategy often involved using its naval superiority to control sea trade routes and project power
• Both Athens and Sparta employed alliances and leagues to extend their influence and secure support from other city-states
  • Sparta led the Peloponnesian League, while Athens formed the Delian League

Economic Systems and Trade

• Athens was a major commercial center, benefiting from its strategic location and strong navy
  • Athenian economy relied on trade, particularly in the export of olive oil, wine, and pottery
  • Athens' port city, Piraeus, was a hub for maritime trade and commerce
• Sparta's economy was primarily agricultural, with the helots working the land to support the Spartan citizens
  • Spartans discouraged the pursuit of wealth and luxury, promoting a simple and austere lifestyle
• Both city-states used coinage as a means of exchange, with Athens known for its silver drachma
• The Athenian Empire, established through the Delian League, allowed Athens to collect tribute from its allies, funding its cultural and military pursuits

Art, Literature, and Philosophy

• Athens was the cultural and intellectual center of ancient Greece, known for its artistic and philosophical achievements
• The Parthenon, a temple dedicated to Athena, is an iconic example of Athenian architecture and sculpture
  • Built during the Golden Age of Athens under the leadership of Pericles
• Athenian theatre flourished, with playwrights like Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides producing tragedies and comedies
  • The Dionysia festival featured annual competitions for playwrights
• Athens was home to renowned philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle
  • Socratic method of questioning and dialogue became a foundation for Western philosophy
• Sparta, while less known for its cultural pursuits, produced notable poets like Tyrtaeus, who composed martial poetry to inspire Spartan soldiers

Conflicts and Alliances

• The Persian Wars (499-449 BCE) were a series of conflicts between the Greek city-states and the Persian Empire
  • Key battles include Marathon (490 BCE), Thermopylae (480 BCE), Salamis (480 BCE), and Plataea (479 BCE)
  • The Greco-Persian Wars united Athens, Sparta, and other city-states against a common enemy
• The Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE) was a prolonged conflict between Athens and Sparta and their respective allies
  • Caused by Sparta's fear of Athens' growing power and influence
  • The war ended with the defeat of Athens and the temporary hegemony of Sparta
• The Thirty Tyrants, imposed by Sparta after the Peloponnesian War, ruled Athens for a brief period before being overthrown
• The Corinthian War (395-387 BCE) was fought between Sparta and a coalition of city-states, including Athens, Thebes, and Corinth
  • Ended with the King's Peace, dictated by the Persian Empire

Legacy and Historical Significance

• The rivalry and contrasts between Athens and Sparta have become emblematic of different political and social systems
  • Athens represents democracy, cultural achievement, and intellectual pursuit
  • Sparta symbolizes military discipline, austerity, and oligarchy
• The Greco-Persian Wars demonstrated the power of Greek unity and the strength of the hoplite phalanx
  • The wars also marked the beginning of Athens' rise to prominence and the formation of the Delian League
• The Peloponnesian War had far-reaching consequences for the Greek world
  • Weakened the Greek city-states, making them vulnerable to external threats
  • Paved the way for the rise of Macedon under Philip II and Alexander the Great
• Athenian democracy, while limited by modern standards, laid the foundation for the development of democratic principles and practices
• The cultural and intellectual achievements of Athens, particularly in art, literature, and philosophy, have had a lasting impact on Western civilization
  • The works of Athenian playwrights, philosophers, and artists continue to be studied and admired to this day