Athens & Sparta: Democracy vs.

Dictatorship

University of the People

Fabian Martinez
2015

HIST 1421: GREEK AND ROMAN CIVILIZATION

Written Assignment Unit 1

Introduction
The purpose of this paper is to provide a detailed explanation on the process that people
in Athens and Sparta had to follow to obtain the right to participate in public life and
make decisions that will affect the community. It will describe who were appointed to
hold public office and the rules that governed the selection of public office holders. In
addition we will talk about the two city states similar in their governmental structure but
analyzing how differ from each other.

Obtaining the right to participate in public life and make decisions affecting the
community
In Athens only a minority of people had the right to participate in public life and
have political rights to make decision for the community. They were all free adult males
20 years old, well educated, native born and had Athenian parents. Women, slaves and
foreigners who were the majority of the population in ancient Athens had no saying in the
government.
Spartans on the other hand had a very strict military culture so all its man became
citizen solders at the age of 20 after an intense military formation since the age of 6 years
old. Spartans only purpose was defeat enemies in battle and conquers them. Women
were also trained from an early age to be though but for a different purpose, to survive
pregnancy and give birth as many male soldiers as they can.

HIST 1421: GREEK AND ROMAN CIVILIZATION

Written Assignment Unit 1

Who held public office and what rules governed the selection of public office
holders?

In Athens wealthy aristocrats male citizens were the primary ones to hold office
until the system was reformed by a man named Solon. After the reform non-aristocratic
Athenian men were allowed to have more saying in the political system. These men had
to be at least 30 years old but also wealthy; the selection was done randomly using
sophisticated allotment machines created for that specific purpose.
Office holders will have their political rights base on their wealth. The so called
500 bushel man because they were the riches or the ones who had the most bushel of
grain will apply the law and lead the army. The 300 bushel will supply horses.
The 200 bushel man will serve as soldiers and participate in small political roles.
And finally the commoners who could not serve in the army but they were allowed to
become rowers I navy ships.
In Sparta things were a little different comparing to Athens when it came to public
office; yes were also man on charge of public office being the Ephors the most important
who represented the executive branch elected annually. They will serve as a balance to
the power of the kings and decide military organization and foreign relations.
The Gerousia were the aristocrats who once they turned 60 years old were eligible
to serve in the council and they were on charge of approving the laws. And we have the
free male citizens who were part of the assembly with the power of electing the annual
Ephors.

HIST 1421: GREEK AND ROMAN CIVILIZATION

Written Assignment Unit 1

How were the two city-states similar in their governmental structures?

They both agreed that all people had to be contained by the law.
Women were excluded from the government system.

How did they differ in their governmental structure?

Athens
Athens was a democracy and was rule by the people.
Government was elected by the people using a method called lot (voting)
Government was divided by groups base on their wealth.
Aristocrats, masses and generals were all part of the government.

Sparta
Sparta was an oligarchy and it was ruled by two Kings.
Power was passed to the chosen descendents.
Members of the government had to be only the ones with the highest social status.

Conclusion
In summary we can say that there were big discrepancy between Athens and Sparta if we
talk about government, ruling, women, military and elections but we can all agree that
Greece was in fact where Democracy was born.
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