Athens And Sparta Compare And Contrast Essay

In ancient Greek times two city-states, Athens and Sparta, dominated all of the Greek peninsula in their own way. The time the city-states flourished was in the late B.C. Both city-states were a success as they develop into the strongest Greek states. Whereas many people believe that Athens and Sparta are similar, the city-states are vastly different based on their ways of living, their government styles, and their military. Athenians and the Spartans have different ways of living as they focus on different morals. At a small age Spartan boys are taken from their families and forced into the Spartan standing army. On the other hand, the Athenian boys are not mandated into the military of their country and are able to get a good education. Spartans are focused on their military more than their interactions with other countries around them. “Sparta people were not open to education and they only concentrated on military strength and obedience and they didn't interact much with the outside world” (Athens vs). While Sparta focused on their dominate army, Athens focused mostly on education. “As an Athenian, one could get a good education and could pursue several kinds of arts and sciences” (Athens vs). There were many more
The Spartans had two kings to run their country one based on military issues and a second for political and or diplomatic issues with the country. Both of the kings ruled until death when the designated son of the king takes over the position. This system of government was called an oligarchy form of government. There is an argument about this form of government as it means ruled by few but they have elements of a monarchy. The ruled by few comes into their government as there are five elected member of the government called, Ephors. “The Ephors are elected annually and have the power to overrule the kings” (Athen vs). Unlike a monarchy, the kings did not have complete power of the