The Differences Between Athens and Sparta
In ancient Greece, there were many cities, but the two main cities were Athens and Sparta. Although these were the two main cities, they were extremely different. I am going to explain the differences and similarities between Athens and Sparta in culture and family life.
Athens cared more about family and education. Boys started school at age seven and had a “normal” education. If the family was rich, the boy could go to school for one of three things: Grammatistes – reading, writing, and arithmetic, Kitharistes – music and poetry, or Paidotribes – dancing and athletics after their first school. Family was very important in Athens for many reasons. One was that it was very important to have your family carried on for generations. Families could spend as much time together as they please.
It was the complete opposite in Sparta. Instead of going to school, at age seven boys would go to military camps to learn how to be a soldier or warrior. Family was not important at all to the Spartans. All men of all ages were required to eat every meal in great military halls, and couples were not allowed to be seen together, so they had to meat in secret.
Although there are many differences, there are also a couple of similarities between Athens and Sparta. First, after birth, every child would be brought to the father of the family for him to decide if they should keep the baby or not. If the father decides he does not want the child, it would be left outside the city to die. If the baby is lucky, a family will come adopt it as a slave. The two cities also worshipped the same gods and goddesses, like Zeus, Poseidon, Hera, and Hades.
I hope you recognize the differences and similarities between Athens and Sparta, in culture and religion. I think it is fascinating to learn about different civilizations and how they act. I cannot wait to learn more about the religion in Greece next week, even if there is not a lot of Greek culture within it.