Sparta vs. Athens

Sparta vs. Athens helps us assimilate the stark differences between the two city states of ancient Greece. Here is a look at Athens vs. Sparta and a rundown on how the two major cultures influenced modern civilization in their different ways.

The comparison between Sparta and Athens is a story of two cultures with drastic difference in the ideologies, societies, forms of governance and the basic way of life. While both these city states in Greece were geographically located close together, they varied greatly in almost all other aspects of life, both with clashing views on various subjects. Their brief unity against the Persian invasions was greatly overshadowed by the constant competition between these cultures for the leadership of the Hellenic world. (ancienthistory.about.com)

These two prominent historic cultures of Ancient Greece have contributed greatly to the ideals of the modern society in their own distinct ways. While Athens was one of the leading cities of Ancient Greece in the first millennium, having been inhabited for 3000 years, with its cultural and philosophical achievements laying the foundations of a new western civilization. On the other hand, the militaristic Sparta, famous as a martial power, foe of the Persian Empire, and eventual conqueror of Athens, was formed after the Dorian migration from the north. While the dumb, militaristic and machismo culture of Sparta was totally war driven, Athens was home to some of the most extraordinary accomplishments of philosophy, art, and science in human history. Here is a look at the some of the distinct differences in this Athens vs. Sparta comparison list. (metmuseum.org)

Sparta vs. Athens Comparison

Ancestry:

The basic distinction between the two cultures is the ancestry so while the Spartans were descendants of the Dorian invaders, Athenians were of Ionian descent.

Forms of Government:

There were two existent forms of government in Ancient Greece, democracy and oligarchy. While the Athenian democratic government was elected and ruled by an upper class, male population, the governance of Sparta was entrusted to five men called ephods, and a council of 28 elders. This form of oligarchic government was elected by Spartan citizens over thirty years of age. On the other hand, Athens shaped democracy in ancient Greece and is said to have been the birthplace of democracy, which was broken down into divisions, and fifty people were randomly chosen from each unit to form the Council of 500. This council would meet to decide the laws which contrasted the Spartan way of life where the leaders would decide punishment. (wsu.edu)

Culture and Beliefs:

There was a drastic difference in the cultures of the two cities. Sparta became a military stronghold by emphasizing only on expanding their power and gaining control over other kingdoms while the Athenians grew in the fields of infrastructure and culture in the ancient times. The Spartan belief of total loyalty to the state was sole reason for their existence while the Athenians believed in the fair share of the power for the people. However there were some things in Athens and Sparta which ...