Nate Berman Athens Vs Sparta Essay Mrs.

Bohny P5 March 16, 2012 The Greek city-states Athens and Sparta had a number of unique, and defining properties. However based upon their traits, Sparta was by far the better of the two. Many of the traits Athens lacks, Sparta has. One of these qualities is the active lifestyle most Spartans lead. Also, in Sparta, women had many more rights than they would have in Athens. Moreover, Sparta had one of the strongest militaries in all of Greece. If given the choice, I would most definitely decide to live in Sparta. First, the Spartan government supports and encourages an active lifestyle. At a young age, boys were recruited into the military where they trained vigorously. From adolescence, its citizens were taught strict physical requirements. These helped to solidify the want for peak physical prowess. Also, because of Spartas agriculturally based economy, if not training for the military, inhabitants would be out in the fields doing hard labor. Spartas inhabitants because of a strict culture would lead very physical lives. The men and woman of Sparta would generally have lived healthily and actively. Secondly, in Sparta woman by far, had more rights than in Athens. In Athens woman were not even allowed to leave their houses without a male chaperone. Spartan woman mixed freely with men. They also participated in sporting events. These included, but were not limited to, wrestling matches and races. Also, unlike in

Athens, Spartan woman could inherit and own land. In Sparta, woman enjoyed many more freedoms than in Athens. Lastly, Sparta harnessed the strongest army in the entirety of Greece. This army kept its citizens safe and deterred opposition from other city-states. The Spartan military stood at the center of their culture. It was its citizens obligations to be a good soldier and serve his nation. From childhood, Spartans were expected to drill vigorously. In the army, they learned fierce fighting tactics and formations such as the notorious phalanx which they mastered. Strict ethic and a disciplined society made Spartas army the most feared in the land. If you lived in Sparta, you were guaranteed to be safe from any attackers. In conclusion, Athens and Sparta, two of the most famous of all the Greek city-states had defining traits. One may look at Athens system of government, or culture and say, I want to live there. That person would have never heard of Sparta. A Spartans way of life was far superior to that of an Athenian. Also, Spartas inhabitants are treated more equally than in Athens. But most importantly, Spartas notorious army protected it, day and night, from anyone that may have had the navet to attack. By far, Sparta was the more favorable city-state to live in.