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Differences and similarities between athens and spartans
Differences and similarities between athens and spartans
Religion in ancient civilizations
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Society is defined by its culture, it is determined by its cuisines, language, political, social, and religious structures. They are a major factor in the development of a societies progress in history. While some societies could exist around the same area and the same time, this doesn 't mean that they will progress in the same direction. A societies path could vary from different goals, interests, and conflicts. In Ancient Greece, these societies were called city-states or Polis. These polis was created because Greece 's’ environment was too difficult for a single unified government to be established at the time. Commonalities between the polis were; common cultural forms, written language, phonic alphabet, celebrations for Olympic competitions. Two of Ancient Greece’s greatest polis were Athens and Sparta, these two are an excellent example on how cultural differences influenced their history. Their main similarities and differences between Sparta and Athens are their views on the political structure, religion, social life, and their military. …show more content…
Technically all city-states had a strong faith in the Greek polytheistic religion. They both pay homage to the Greek gods to keep them happy and bring order to their society. However, each city-state would plan special events for certain gods that they favored. The people of Sparta favored the Greek figures that are more associated with Olympic events or strengths like the god Aries; the god of war. However, the people of Athens favored Athena, the greek god of wisdom, courage, justice, and war wisdom. The types of gods they favored represent how their societies life is
When a civilization is emerging in the way which it emerges helps to establish its values. Greek Society emerged in two different ways, through Athenian and Spartan mentalities. Through many wars and differing enemies, Athenian culture became more prevalent. However, each brought forth important ideals that defined Greek Society. They are the reason that when reflecting upon Greece we conjure images of philosophers or strong willed warriors. Greek society through individual action and institution truly valued duty to the community, innovation, and honor.
Throughout history, many forms of government have come and gone with varying levels of success. Despite the vast cultural differences between Ancient Athens and the Modern Day United States, current American political institutions have been heavily influenced by the Ancient Athenians.
Imagine two countries, so different from each other, that conflicts were inevitable. Athens and Sparta were not countries, however, they were city-states of Greece with many contrasting values. Athens was the city of the arts, reading, and writing. Meanwhile, military was the only thing the on the Spartans’ minds. Athens and Sparta differ in many ways due to their governments, economies, and cultures.
Athens was a much more superior polis compared to Sparta because the Athenians invented new ideas and creations that supported the people, such as democracy, the Athenians led the Delian League, and Sparta created the Peloponnesian League after the Athenians created their alliance, and the Athenians changed the ways of their government many times to suit the people, and the Spartans did not.
Athens is better than Sparta because Athens has a better trading system. Athens economy was based on trade. It was near the sea, and it had a good harbor. They traded with other city-states and some foreign lands to get the goods and recourses that they needed. Athens bought and sold goods at a huge marketplace called the agora. They also bought and sold slaves at the agora. They traded: honey, olive oil, silver, and painted pottery. In return, they received items such as grain and wood. Athens made its own coin system to make trading easier. Coins were made out of gold, silver, and
Athens and Sparta were all very big, successful city-states in the ancient world that conquered many lands and won many battles. Ancient Athens and Ancient Sparta seem similar; they have very different functioning societies. Athens was known for its impressive art and culture while Sparta was a very war-like city-state and their society was completely based on having a great military. The thing they had in common was that social status and the jobs that each rank of society had was very important. The social status was crucial to Sparta and Athens because, without it, both Greek city-states would not be able to function.
The ancient Greeks practiced a religion that was in effect, a building block to many ensuing pagan religions. This religion revolved around their reverence to the gods. Essentially, the Greeks worshipped numerous gods, making their religion polytheistic. They believed that exercising the opportunity to choose between a wide array of gods to worship offered them a great sense of freedom that they treasured. After all, the Greeks were known for their intellectual distinction of which their means of worship played a huge part. Each city-state, or polis, thus had an affiliated god who protected and guided its residents. Within a given polis, the belief in common gods unified the people. Ultimately, the Greeks yearned for this unity and order in the universe, which is a characteristic that is not unlike that of people today. It might seem contradictory that they believed in many gods and sought organization at the same time, for larger numbers are inherently unstable. But, to the god-fearing Greeks, each god represented a different facet of life that together upheld an organized universe if each of these gods was properly appeased. To satisfy these gods, the Greeks participated in activities such as prayer and sacrifice and erected divine temples and centers for oracles in honor of specific gods. There is evidence of this institutionalization early on in the reign of the Olympian gods, thus forming the Olympian religion.
Ancient Greece was rich in culture, as the country was separated into many polis (city-states). Among these cities, were the two most authoritative rivals—Athens and Sparta; having strived to attain power more than the rest, Athens and Sparta earned the most recognition. While both cities were two of the most powerful in Ancient Greece, the attainment of this power was approached in contradicting ways, as their values and lifestyle greatly differed. Athens and Sparta’s contrasting visions for their citizens framed their culture, which became the sole deciding factor in the kinds of laws that were implemented and enforced to form divergent systems including government, social class and gender roles.
Imagine if you were a young girl, would you want to live in Athens or Sparta? In Athens you had education and spent time with your family. In Sparta you were strong and had rights. Athens was a better city to live in. The reason why I didn’t choose Sparta is because if you had a baby boy you would have to give him away to the army.
Greece is a country united by its name, but divided by its ways. Although Sparta and Athens were both Greek cities, their societies were different. Sparta was focused on having a perfect military, whereas Athenian daily life revolved learning and knowledge. When Spartan boys were being trained for an army, Athenian boys were being trained for life. Both of these societies revolved around different government, education from when kids to teenagers, the responsibilities each individual had to keep their spot, and how women played a role throughout each city state.
Both Sparta and Athens were Greek city-states. Sparta was a strict military ruled city-state where the people established themselves as a military power early. However Athens was more of a political city-state that was more involved with their economical stature than their military forces. Still changes from the Persian wars would change the powers of the city-state and somewhat unite them.
Ancient Greeks were very loyal to their city-states. The polis became the chief political and social unit for the individual Greek person. In forming the polis as a system of government and social organization, the Greeks were deliberately turning away from the dominant model which existed during this time, namely the kingdom or empire governed by a single individual who usually came to power through birth or conquest. Among the Greeks this was not a term of reproach but merely meant one who had seized kingly power without the qualification of royal descent.
Athens and Sparta were both city-states in Classical Greece. While Athens embraced democracy, Sparta was a dictatorial fierce warrior state. Sparta was a militaristic community, Athens was a freethinking, and commerce minded city-state. Modern societies have modeled their government organizational structure and military discipline practices from lessons learned of these ancient city-states. There is much is to be praised regarding Classical Greece for their courage, their progressive thinking and the birth of democracy. However, I think it is important to remember that in both cases, Athens and Sparta were able to sustain their lifestyle on the backs of countless slaves, non-citizens and women and that there is a darker and less romantic side to the past.
The life of both cities was strongly influenced by governmental organization. For instance, because Sparta was military polis and this has strong influence on how they treat infants, children, gender roles, education, merit questions, craftsmanship and military affairs itself. While for Athens 'freedom ' which came with birth of democracy had influence on social life. For instance, rule of wealth dictated the way society organized and how each piece of social life was organized.
Ancient Greece was less of a country and more of a collection of neighbouring cities that shared a couple seas. It didn't have a single government that presided over everyone. Instead, each city ran itself as the people there saw fit or had imposed upon them. As such, many differing types of political systems were in place.