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What is modern day Sparta?
Modern day Sparta, the capital of the prefecture of Lakonia, lies on the eastern foothills of Mount Taygetos in the Evrotas River valley. The city has been built upon the site of ancient Sparta, whose Acropolis lies north of the modern city. To the southwest stands Mt. Taygetos.
How did daily life differ between Athens and Sparta?
The main difference between Athens and Sparta is their government, economy, and society. Athenian society, which was based on trade, valued art and culture and was ruled under a form of democracy. Spartan society, on the other hand, was a militant society whose economy was based on farming and conquering.
Do Spartans still exist today?
But today there is still a town called Sparta in Greece in the very same spot as the ancient city. So, in a way, Spartans still exist, although these days they tend to be a little less strict and certainly not as good at fighting with spears and shields as the ancients.
How was the government of Sparta similar to the government of Athens How was it different?
One of the main ways they were similar was in their form of government. Both Athens and Sparta had an Assembly, whose members were elected by the people. Sparta was ruled by two kings, who ruled until they died or were forced out of office. Athens was ruled by archons, who were elected annually.
Did SpARTA ever lose a war?
Then the cavalry engaged and those of the Spartans were quickly beaten. The decisive defeat of the Spartan hoplite army by the armed forces of Thebes at the battle of Leuctra in 371 B.C. ended an epoch in Greek military history and permanently altered the Greek balance of power.
What was the difference between Athens and Sparta?
Athens was an open society, and Sparta was a closed one. Athens was democratic, and Sparta was ruled by a select few. The differences were many. In 431 BCE a war broke out between Athens and Sparta. It was called the Peloponnesian War. This is because Sparta was located on the Peloponnesian Peninsula.
What kind of government did the Spartans have?
The Spartans had two kings ruling the city, but their powers were limited by the ‘council of elders’, having 28 members participating. This created social classes within Sparta, the highest social class being the kings and the ‘council of elders’.
What did the mothers say to their sons in Sparta?
[The strict separation of classes and militaristic system was put into place by Lycurgus in the 7th century BC.] Spartan mothers would say to their sons, “Either come back with your shield or on it” (meaning return victorious or die fighting). This lifestyle was praised by Xenophon, an ancient historian c. 375 BCE.
This created social classes within Sparta, the highest social class being the kings and the ‘council of elders’. These men had much military experience and rarely visited their wives and children. They also had slaves called Helots, farming their lands, allowing them to pursue their needs to discuss conquering and war.