What is the difference between Athens and Sparta?
Athens and Sparta were two antagonistic states in Ancient Greece. The difference between these two city-states was observed in:
– The social system in Sparta consisted of two categories of people. Citizens – Spartiats, the Dorians had the fullness of all rights, and the helots – the local subordinate population, were disenfranchised slaves. In Athens, citizens were both the aristocracy and the common people – the demos, as well as slaves in small numbers.
– According to the form of government, Athens was an ancient democracy, while Sparta was a typical military aristocratic state.
– All citizens and slaves participated in the economy of Athens, while the Spartans were engaged in military training, and the Periecs and helots provided them with agricultural and livestock products.
– The culture of the Athenian polis was diverse. It encouraged the expression of freedom and individuality. There was philosophy, poetry, rhetoric. Sparta was inherent in throwing away all the “unnecessary”, which prevented the education of a real warrior-Sparta.