Spartan Society Vs. Athenian Society

The two most important poleis of the Classical Greek time period were the city-states of Sparta and Athens. During the 8th and 7th centuries BCE, the Spartans had extended their control of their region called Peloponnesus. Also during the same time frame, an increasing volume of trade brought prosperity to Athens. The two of these poleis maintained a variety of different aspects to their political structures and societies.

In Sparta, all citizens were of equal status, besides the population of the neighboring peoples they had conquered who would be the helots, or slaves, of the society. In order to eliminate the development of social distinctions, the Spartans observed a rigid lifestyle policy. No private wealth or luxuries were able to be accumulated by the Spartan citizens. The distinction among them was built upon discipline, and military talent. The Spartan educational system was implemented into one’s life at an early age. Rigorous training was mandatory for the men until the age of 20 when they became active in military service. The women also took part in physical training in order to bear strong children, and between ages of 18 and 20 the women engaged with the men sexually, but would not have a household set up until about 30. The Spartan society stood on the foundation of military discipline, and the society’s commitment to military values. Sparta maintained public order by instituting a military state could dominate any threat.

Athens took a different stance on how to alleviate the political and social strain. Instead of a militaristic principle, the Athenians established a government based on democratic principles. They looked to decide order by considering the voice of the polis’s various constituencies. Although foreigners, women, and slaves were not recognized, all free adult males played a role in the public affairs of the government. As the wealth of Athens grew, so did the power of the heavy landowning aristocrats, who also were in control of the government. Most of the smaller land owners could not keep up, and were forced into slavery due to the debt of their land. This left a rapidly growing unhappy class of people who were in favor of engaging in a war with the wealthy. Before anarchy, an aristocrat by the name of Solon ended the would-be feud that was poised to devastate Athens. Solon was able to form a compromise between the classes. He allowed the aristocrats to keep their lands, much to chagrin of the less privileged, but cancelled all debts, abolished debt slavery, and liberated all those already enslaved. Solon instituted representation for the