Athens and Sparta: Their Cultures and Their Differences

A detailed Summary of Athens and Sparta: Their Cultures and Their Differences

During the early centuries prior to the birth of Christ, Athens and Sparta were the two most well-known Greek city-states. Since both Athens and Sparta resided in Greece, one could come to the conclusion that their societies and the culture of their city-states might be largely similar. Surprisingly enough, this is not the case. Though certain aspects of their cultures were alike, on the whole their cultures were unexpectedly unalike.

Before the Spartan culture can be discussed it is essential for one to have a basic understanding of the history that made the culture what it was following sixth-century BC. The eighth-century Mycenaean War was a large determining factor in the way the Spartans ran their city-state. Prior to the Mycenaean War, Sparta was a monarchy just like all of it's neighboring city-states. Their population was growing at such an alarming rate that they no longer occupied the land necessary to support their people. As a result they formed an army to annex the particularly fertile bordering city-state of the Mycenaean's. The annexation was a success, and the Spartans found themselves content with their newly-conquered territory. Just as the Spartans began to feel comfortable, the Mycenaean's got the c

The Spartans viewed their culture as the supreme way of Greek life, more specifically the ultimate way of life. They viewed themselves as the true inheritors of the Greek tradition, and saw the Athenians as their rival. The Athenians, on the other hand, claimed something different when they said,

In conclusion Athens and Sparta were both very different Greek city-states, so different in fact that they could not get along. Trade, democracy, foreigners, individualism, thought, and the arts were all a part of Athens. Contrasting was Sparta whose focus was on the state, achieving power and independence, and their military. They were not able to ever unite, because of their sociological and cultural differences. Geographically they were so close that they could not ignore one another but fought for the top position among the Greek city-states. For in the end, it was their differences drove them apart.

". . .we are not suspicious of one another, nor angry with our neighbour if he does what he likes; we do not put on sour looks at him which, though harmless, are not pleasant" [Sherman 59].

Although the Spartan's focus was on strengthening their state so they could be better equipped to defend themselves against other states, they became very "inward- looking and conservative" [Sherman 44]. Unlike Athens who actively traded with other states, Sparta avoided trade as much as they could. Whenever they needed something, instead of trading for the needed product they would purchase the necessary materials so that in the future they could make or grow the product independently.

This revolt was nearly successful, but the Spartans managed to come out on top. But the

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Approximate Word count = 1136
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History