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Differences and similarities between democracy today and in ancient Greece
Differences and similarities between democracy today and in ancient Greece
Development of greek democracy
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Compare and contrast a prominent political and cultural element of the Athenian and Spartan poleis and how this was reflected by the Athenian Army at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC and the 300 Spartan hoplites at the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC. The cultures of two of the most prominent Greek poleis, Athens and Sparta, were demonstrated first in the Athenian battle at Marathon against the Persian Empire in 490 BC, in which the Athenians commanded the battle through a democratic command, separated from the enemy by the freedom of the people, and then by the Spartans in 480 BC at the battle at Thermopylae (in the second Persian invasion), in which the Spartans showed their will to never retreat from the enemy in their fight to their deaths. In Sparta, while all citizens were socially equal, no man having more than another, the amount of political power ranged greatly from man to man. In Athens, while all men had equal political power and opportunities, the wealth ranged greatly from the rich plantation owners to the poor farmers. This contrast of political power in comparison to social equality had a presence in both battles, greatly dictating how each polis fought in the battle. In the Ancient Greek polis of Sparta, the entire culture was built around war. The Character of a Man was based on how his performance and bravery in battle, and many Spartan laws were put in place to better educate, toughen, and train the Spartans for war. Young Spartans were only fed enough to survive with terrible food that was only eaten out of necessity, not out of desire to have the enjoyment of eating. “Those who underwent this training would be better able to continue working on an empty stomach” (Xen. Lac. Pol. 2.5) This reform helped create... ... middle of paper ... ...an Empire were a direct result of the governments and laws put in place in these two poleis. From the sacrifice of 300 Spartans to the democratic command at Marathon, the differences between Athens and Sparta were shown even in battle. The united Greek forces finally defeated the Persians after the battle of Thermopylae, greatly thanks to the Athenian battle at Salamis, and the Spartan battle at ____. In a way, Sparta and Athens were opposites, sharing only the slightest of similarities. The Athenians focused on freedom and democracy, and the Spartans focused on war, training, and equality in every aspect in life aside form politics. These principals were hammered into the citizens of each polis, with the citizens from each polis believing his was the superior. Through these principals, the two distinct cultures of Athens and Sparta were created.
Imagine two countries, so different from each other, that conflicts were inevitable. Athens and Sparta were not countries, however, they were city-states of Greece with many contrasting values. Athens was the city of the arts, reading, and writing. Meanwhile, military was the only thing the on the Spartans’ minds. Athens and Sparta differ in many ways due to their governments, economies, and cultures.
“No man ever proves himself a good man in war unless he can endure to face the blood and the slaughter, go against the enemy and fight with his hands.” The preceding was quoted from “The Spartan creed” by the poet Tyrtaeus. There are two authors in this primary resource reading which include Tyrtaeus as well as Xenophon, whom authored “The laws and customs of the Spartans”. These two works give great detail to the Spartan society. As history has presented it, Sparta was a smaller polis and yet was one of the most, if not most, influential societies in history. What we know of this culture comes to us from excavation of its heritage as well as literary works such as these. But are these “eyes” into history factual and creditable enough to base our own interpretations of such a masterful race? These writings are great resources for Spartan’s war enhanced values and societal customs, but lack in evidence of governmental affairs and religion. This lacking may have been due to both writer’s motives for their work.
Ancient Greece today is most known for the culture: the gods, the dramas, how people lived. What most people do not realize is that there were hundreds, maybe even thousands, of different civilizations spread throughout Greece that all had different forms of government. The three main ones were Athens, Sparta, and Miletus. Each was very different from the other. The most powerful out of all three was Sparta: a military based society. The Spartan government had a strong foundation that was all torn down by one bad leader.
From this evaluation and historical representations given by philosophers and historians during approximately the same era that is represented within 300. It is argued that the popular culture incarnations of Sparta as the ‘Noble, selfless fighters with a warrior mentality’ and the Persians as the ‘Evil, tyrannical, overindulgent, oppressors’ were not entirely historically accurate.
The three day Battle of Thermopylae took place in 480 B.C. in the present country of Greece. This was a battle between the invading army of the Persian Empire against the alliance of the city-states of the Greeks. The scene of the battle took place on a very narrow passage on the north side of the Kallidromos Mountain range that almost dropped immediately into a rough coastline into the Malian Gulf. The narrow passage was approximately three miles long from west to the east and close to 15 meters wide in some areas between the steep cliffs of the mountains and coastline. This was also a battle of epic proportions; the numbers that the Persian army had brought with them compared to the small but highly organized army of the Greeks were staggering. This site was selected by the Greeks because they lacked in numbers compared to the Persians and would be able to use the terrain to their advantage. This battle is also known today as the “Last Stand of the 300.”
Many attributes have made the Spartans stand out from other Greek civilizations; their military, their society, and the battles they waged. Spartans were a militaristic state in Greece, their motto was “Ether with it, or on it” (meaning ether you won the battle or died trying). Sparta was also rivals to Athens at the time and would often compete in sports or fight in skirmishes much like two rival high schools. Out of everything that Sparta was the one thing most people think of when they hear the word Sparta is the battle of Thermopylae. No other Spartan conflict has been exploited as much as the battle of Thermopylae. Contrary to what you may or may not believe the Spartans were not the o...
“Xerxes turned his mind to the unfinished business of punishing the Greeks” (Brown 106). As Xerxes closed in on the Greeks, during the Persian war, the Greeks needed to buy more time to strengthen their army. The Greeks decided to slow down Xerxes army by intercepting them at Thermopylae, a small pass where Xerxes’ massive army would not be a major factor. For all those concerned it was a suicide mission, but one in which they were honored to take part. Vastly outnumbered the Greek’s only hope was to fight to the death and hope they would buy enough time for their country. Although the three hundred Spartans receive the glory for their sacrifice at the battle of Thermopylae, they do not deserve all of the credit because they did not fight alone. Along with the three hundred Spartans, fought seven hundred Thespians and four hundred Phocians. The battle of Thermopylae is one of the most legendary battles of all time. The sacrifice of the fourteen hundred men for their country, gives us a peek into the harsh but honorable world of ancient Greece and their love for their country. The Spartans, through Hollywood dramatization and historic retellings have become known as the sole heroes of Thermopylae, but contained within this battle is a story not of three hundred Spartans but of fourteen hundred men united under Greece who made the ultimate sacrifice for love of country.
Both Sparta and Athens were Greek city-states. Sparta was a strict military ruled city-state where the people established themselves as a military power early. However Athens was more of a political city-state that was more involved with their economical stature than their military forces. Still changes from the Persian wars would change the powers of the city-state and somewhat unite them.
Sparta was a militaristic society in ancient Greece that became mighty and powerful after defeating its rival neighbor, Athens, in the Peloponnesian War. The Spartan culture was centered on filling the military needs of the polis, and the laws of the land were developed and written by Ly spectacles, who established this military-oriented overhaul of society. Because of Lycatius, it was then decreed that at the young age of seven, Spartan boys left home and entered military training where they mastered the skills of battle until the age of thirty. The women of Sparta also had certain rules and laws to follow that were set by Ly spectacles. In this essay, I will argue why Spartan women were more dominant in society than other Greek women.
To date I have contrasted the difference in the societies and what they are best know for. Sparta is best know for it's elite military and extensive training beginning at the age of seven. Athens is a cultural state in which education is the most important. I have also begun contrasting the difference in education Concerning the topic a thesis has already been submitted.
Imagine if you were a young girl, would you want to live in Athens or Sparta? In Athens you had education and spent time with your family. In Sparta you were strong and had rights. Athens was a better city to live in. The reason why I didn’t choose Sparta is because if you had a baby boy you would have to give him away to the army.
Use your impressions of Athens and Sparta to discuss and compare daily life in the two city-states.
Athens and Sparta were ancient Greece’s two largest, most powerful and influential poleis, or city states (Brand: 1). This paper will compare the governmental structures of the two city states and provide an overview of how one became a citizen, became eligible for public office and rules governing the selection of office bearers. The paper will argue that although there were superficial similarities in the two poleis, their structures and governing political philosophies were very different.
The human need for conflict is a constant factor in everyday life and has been demonstrated throughout our readings of the Romans and the Greeks. As seen in Herodotus’ The History, tales of battles and wars are described in epic proportions and are a constant theme throughout his writings. Herodotus plays into the aspect of fighting, as well as the cultural belief of Greece that war was a necessary part of society and should be valued by the citizens. By heightening the actions of soldiers in battle, war is encouraged as a way of life because it is emphasized as a way of being remembered and praised for committing honorable deeds and protecting Greece. Herodotus incorporates numerous acts of valor like those seen in The Battle of Thermopylae in his writings in order to provide the ultimate connection between Greek behavior and warfare as a representation of what it meant to practice good citizenship. Herodotus incorporates the Role of the Gods, male behavior, and describing the Persians in The History in his attempt to portray the historic event of the 300’s last stand against the Persians in a way that Greeks would look up to and hopefully want to follow.
Because of the tranquil times, the civilization’s society had more time to focus on writing, math, astronomy, and artistic fields, as well as trade and metallurgy. Out of all the city-states of Greece, two excelled over all the rest, Sparta and Athens. Even though they were the most advanced and strong civilizations, they were bitter enemies. While Athens focused mainly on the people’s democracy and citizen rights, Sparta were ferocious and enslaved its original inhabitants, making them unable to leave and kept under a close eye to prevent insurgence (History of Greece:The Golden Age of Greece). Additionally, Sparta had strict and trained soldiers that underwent intense physical exercising and instruction.