Sparta Vs Athens Research Paper

In today’s society it is hard to grasp the reality that once was Ancient Greece. Two of the greatest powers in Ancient Greece was Athens and Sparta. Although Ancient Sparta and Athens was in the same relative area there civilizations were astonishingly different. Their Governments were very different, Sparta being a kind of warrior race and Athenians being a place of indulgents and relaxation. The interests of the Greek people were better served by the Democracy of Athens compared to the Oligarchy of Sparta. Evidence of Athens fair treatment towards its citizens have survived down the ages. Athens had lots of relaxing activities that were not only allowed but encouraged. People of Athens also had freedom and could choose what they wanted to do with their lives. The Government of Athens also accepted many different cultures as well as many different trading opportunities for the prosperity for its people.

First and foremost, Athenians had many opportunities to participate in activities such as sports, contests and

sacrifices. They also had many pleasures in their lives such as theatre and dances and festivals. They enjoyed foreign goods just as well as there their local products, they ate feasts and had fun, regardless of their social class. This is far from similar to the Spartan empire, they had no fun in Sparta. Spartan life was dull, they solely focused on their military might and disregarded the comfort of their citizens. This is clear evidence of a higher quality of life under the Athenian Democracy as opposed to that of the Spartan Oligarchy.
Athenian people had freedom; far more freedom than most people in the surrounding area.

The citizens of Athens could vote on the ways that their civilization was run; everyone decided who was responsible for different tasks of running the government, in other words they were a Democracy. People in Athens were not held back from government decisions because of their wealth. Athens was so accepting of people’s wealth to the extent that slaves were respected and got small amounts of money for work they completed. This was entirely different in Sparta. Spartan people had very little say in government matters; their government was made up of 7 truly powerful people. Slaves in Sparta were also mistreated and unlike in Athens where they only slaves from far off lands; Sparta had slaves from all around Greece. This acceptance of all people and their wealth goes to show that the Democracy of Athens treated its citizens better than the Spartan

Oligarchy.
Culture, this is what Ancient Athens was all about. Ancient Athens was very accepting of new people and the treasure trove of ideas they brought along with them. Athenians enjoyed what other cultures had to offer, such as there foods, products and materials. Sparta wasn’t like Athens in the way of culture. Sparta had very little cultural activities and hated people and things that were foreign; this went to the extent that they even declared war on their slaves every year. This close-mindedness of the Spartan Oligarchy proves that Athenian Democracy was superior in making sure its citizens had all they needed to live comfortably.
In conclusion the interests of the Greek people were better served by the Democracy of Athens compared to the Oligarchy of Sparta. The people of Athens lived comfortable, fulfilling lives. Athens people had freedom and could make decisions on their own about how they should be governed. Athens culture was on a completely different level compared to other civilizations.