How did people in Athens and Sparta obtain the right to participate in public li
ID: 3458067 • Letter: H
Question
How did people in Athens and Sparta obtain the right to participate in public life and make decisions affecting the community? Who held public office? What rules governed the selection of public office holders? How were the two city-states similar in their governmental structures? How did they differ?How did people in Athens and Sparta obtain the right to participate in public life and make decisions affecting the community? Who held public office? What rules governed the selection of public office holders? How were the two city-states similar in their governmental structures? How did they differ?
Explanation / Answer
The main difference between Athens and Spartan public life was political difference, the Athens was known as the democracy while Sparta was considered as the Oligarchy (Ruled by few).
The people of Athens considered very modern in their outlook, encouraged good education, social freedom and development of Arts and Science but Sparta was more militaristic society that concentrated on discipline and military service. This was exhibited in the way the people of Sparta lived, where males were expected to receive military training starting at a young age. In addition, the cultures treated their women much differently, with Spartan women prohibited from wearing makeup or Jewellery, and expected to keep themselves in top physical condition. On the other hand the women of Athens were known for their beauty and physical conditions.
The government differences also affected the public life of Athens and Sparta, the Athens used a form of limited democracy, where numbers of society served as leaders of the people, the military general also elected by people of Athens, but the Sparta was led by oligarchy, with two kings that gained their position by birth, with fathers passing down their crown to their sons. The people also elected five ephors on an annual basis, as well as senate. The kings of Sparta were not powerful and could be overruled by ephors.
While differences in some ways, Athens and Sparta has some similarities between them.
Sparta and Athens have similar form of Government, both city states were in the part governed by elected assemblies. However the top ruler of Athens were elected while Sparta were inherited.
Both city states have extremely large slave population, slaves were the bottom of the social order in both cities, while military men were top in the social order.
After a long period of time Athens established as the state of education while Sparta was the state of military professionals. So that this changes influenced the social structure of both states.
Related Questions
drjack9650@gmail.com
Navigate
Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.