Athenian and Sparta

 How is Athenian democracy different from modern American democracy?

 

                                      Athenian democracy                             America 50 states

1. Athenians were divided into 10 tribes, however Americans are divided into 50 states 2. Athenians elected 50 men from each tribe, however Americans elect by population 3. Athenians had a direct democracy (participated directly), however Americans have a representative deomcracy (elect representatives) 4. Athenians had the Council of Five Hundred, however Americans have the Government 5. Athenians limited electing and voting rights to just men, however Americans have electing and voting rights to men and women 6. Athenians had slaves, however Americans don't have slaves (well, they used to until 1863 when all of the slaves were freed by Abraham Lincoln) 7. In Athens, women stayed at home and work, however in America, women participate in all kinds of daily activities, even in the Army 8. In Athens, slaves were just captured war prisoners, however in America, slaves were Africans who were treated as property due to their dark skin.

How would you compare the ideals of spartan and Athenian societies?

                        

                     Sparta society                                                Athen society


The Spartans were more of a warrior and practical society while the Athenians were a more philosophical society who held education in high regard. They were both good fighter but Sparta was obviously better (Peloponnesian War) Both sides were also very intelligent but Athens dominated in that section Values: S: Strength, A: Smarts Governments: S: Oligarchy, A: Democracy Lifestyles: Same as Values


How did the Persian wars affect the Greek people especially the Athenian?

                                 
       greek after war                                                        greek and Persians at war

   

         

Early on in the Fifth Centruy B.C., the Greeks defeated the Persians, which victory allow Athens to flourish as a center of culture and political power among the 1500 or so Greek city states. This was the golden age of Athens, which resulted in the development of Greek democracy, architecture, sculpture, theater. Athens also became an empirical power and forced many Greek city states to pay tribute. Athens became wealthy with this tribute, but it was the fear of this every expanding empire that drove Sparta to lead a coalition against Athens and to initiate the long war known as the Peloponesian war, which dominated Greece during the last 30 years or so of the Fifth century. For years the war was a stalement without a defining conclusion. Eventually the Athenians were defeated owing to the huge financial aid given to the Spartan cause by the Persians. Athens would never again assume its Fifth Century cultural dominance and its political dominance in the Grecian world . Thus Persia, by losing a war and later by winning one, was pivotal both in the rise of Athens and its decline.

MAIN IDEAS

How does an aristocracy differ from an oligarchy?

                           
         Aristocracy                                                                  oligarchy

Oligarchy is a form of government where power is held by a small number of individuals from a elite or noble families. On the other hand, an aristocracy is a group of aristocratic ruling class.An aristocracy and an oligarchy have very similar features, yet their origins are different. In an aristocracy, the nobles are born into their position by royalty. In an oligarchy, the nobles r men of high position are there not because of birth rights but because of their financial position.



What contributions did Solon and Cleisthenes make to the development of Athenian democracy?

                             
                  Solon                                                            Cleisthenes

Solon outlaw debt slavery, and introduced legal concept that any citizen could bring charges against wrongdoers. Cleisthenes broke up the power of nobility by organizing citizens into ten groups based on where they lived rather than wealth. He increased the power of assembly by allowing all citizens to submit laws for debt and passage.


How did Athens benefit from victory in the Persian wars?

                                           
              Athenian coin                                                                     extanded land

Athens benefited from victory in the Persian Wars because they gained a lot of land. They also gained a large amount of prestige. It converted the anti-Persian league it had headed into an empire of its own, and turned its revenues to its own benefit.