Compare And Contrast Athens And Sparta

Athens and Sparta

Introduction

The Greek city states of Athens and Sparta pioneered two uniquely different systems for administering the everyday lives of their citizenry. In many ways each was uniquely shaped by the cultural nuances and specific challenges they faced. For Sparta the key concern was a system that most efficiently protected them from the perceived threat of a massive slave population that outnumbered the Spartans as greatly as seven to one at some point. For the Athenians it was the need to balance the demands of the general citizen population versus the interests of the Aristocratic elite.

How did people in Athens and Sparta obtain the right to participate in public life and make decisions affecting the community?

Whilst the system of Government in Sparta was largely an Oligarchy (government by a few individuals) and the system

Athens

Athens had a complex system centred around 50 elected citizens from each of the ten tribes, who were referred to as the Boule or legislative council. They crafted laws that were then tabled before the Ekklesia or peoples assembly. This assembly also elected from amongst their own number, magistrates who applied the law and led the army, and the Heliaea who were 600 jurors. There were also 10 elected “Generals”

Sparta

In Sparta two hereditary kings from two prominent families, co-ruled in theory. There were then 5 Ephors. In addition there were 30 Gerousia generally comprised of older well-to-do or aristocratic Spartans. Finally there was the Assembly, that in theory elected the Ephors and the Gerousia.

What rules governed the selection of public office holders?

Athens

In Athens after Cleisthenes’ reforms any free-born Athenian male Citizen could be elected into public office. The citizen was required to be at least 30 years old and to have the required wealth necessary for the office sought. Additionally a number of public offices were subject to term limits often no longer than on year.