Compare and contrast the Spartan and Athenian cultures

In 431 BC, Athens was recognized as the greatest power in the Mediterranean under the
rule of Pericles. Athens was powerful as it was strategically located in the center of a large
trading network, which immensely contributed to the city’s wealth (Lumen Learning, 2022) .
In contrast, Spartan was a military state, and all Spartan men were soldiers. When Spartans
conquered Messenians, they enslaved them to produce resources; the natives’ agricultural
goods were sent to Sparta and they could only keep excess outputs. Non-citizens in Messenia
manufactured items such as tools, pottery, and weapons. Unlike Athenians who thrived in
trading with other regions across the Mediterranean, the Spartans opposed trade and believed
that interaction with other cultures could weaken their government and result in corruption.
Athenians founded coins to trade, while Spartans used huge iron bars.
In Athens, women were brought up by the mother during their first 13 years, while in
Sparta women were recruited for physical training to eradicate weakness. Spartans valued
physical strength, and children who exhibited signs of weakness at birth were abandoned.
Athenians valued education and ensured that male children received a well-rounded
education from ages 6 to 14. Girls were not educated but rather learned to perform
housework. In contrast, Spartans did not educate their children; at the age of 7, and Spartan
male was expected to begin military training while girls were required to exercise to stay fit.
In Athens, slaves and women were considered non-citizens and therefore accorded limited
rights (Owlcation, 2019) . Women’s roles were confined to the home, doing housework or
supervising slaves. A very small percentage of women could pursue a profession as
priestesses. Similarly, women were also perceived non-citizens in Sparta; however, Spartan
women were unique as they underwent extreme physical training in preparation for war. They
were expected to protect their husbands’ properties against invasion. However, unlike other

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women in most Greece cities, Spartan women were accorded property rights, interact with
husbands’ male friends.
Although Athens and Sparta were in close proximity, they led significantly different
cultures, economies, and political doctrines. Both cities had a different approach to
economics, social life, governance, and principles that guided their existence. Athenians
favored academics and trade, while Sparta favored military training and slavery. All farming
for Spartans was done by their slaves– also known as helots. Spartans were simplistic and
relied on conquering, while Athenians led a well-rounded society with active art and trade.

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References

Lumen Learning. (2022). Athens. Retrieved from Lumen Learning:
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-worldhistory/chapter/athens/
Owlcation. (2019). Sparta and Athens. Retrieved from Owlcation:
https://owlcation.com/humanities/Sparta-and-Athens