Greek Post 2: Sparta vs. Athens

Sparta and Athens were both very strong Greek city-states, although they had a few major differences. The Spartans were fixiated on having a perfect military. To the Athenians, learning and knowledge were more important. The Spartan rules were very strict, and education was mainly focused on creating soldiers. Athenians were taught to be more peaceful, yet prepared for war. The Athenian schools were private, but cheap, enabling even peasants to send their children to school. In both city-states girls went to school from the age of 6 to the age of 18. Both places had the same historical, mythical, religious, and ethical beliefs. Athens was a more democratic state, whereas Sparta was considered more of an aristocracy.

I would have preferred to live in Athens. I would not have liked to live in a war-driven, battle-hungry state such as Sparta. I think it is more important to get an education and establish laws and justice than learning how to fight. Also, Athens was a more democratic state, which is something that a commoner such as myself would have much preferred over the aristocratic rule of Sparta.



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