How did life in ancient Sparta differ from life in ancient Athens?
Athens was a nation state built on trade and colonization. While its citizens were involved with the politics and running of the state, they were also interested in going about making money, learning, or otherwise living their daily lives. In Sparta the ruling class, the Spartiates, dedicated themselves to war, and nothing else. The neccasary economic activities of life were handled by the Perioci or helots. While Athens enjoyed a democratic rule, Sparta was headed by a pair of kings, as well as a governing council, making it an oligarchy. While the Spartan army was a respected and feared war engine, the Athenians maintained their predominance in naval warfare, an offshoot of their trade dealings and colonizing. In Athens learning as well as physical prowess was admired and encouraged. Orators were highly respected. In Sparta, the emphasis was on quick wit rather than deep thinking. If you have seen the movie “300”, you will see numerious examples of this. For instance, when the Sparta
