Athens



Athens as a city-state was ruled by a king. Unlike Sparta, Athens' history was not dominated by invasion of a neighbor country. No other city has contributed more to the civilization of mankind than Athens. It is the place where Socrates was born, Plato, Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and many others.The aristocratic families which had lost most of their power due to the monarchy of the Dark Ages, elected a statesman who would represent the city for one year. This practice carried on to create a democratic tradition within Greece.

Sparta

The rivals to Sparta was Athens. Sparta was the capital of Laconia. Sparta did not pride themselves on art or learning, they prided themselves on the men who fought in war, and the ability to take down the intended target. The Spartan government was founded on the fact that once a new infant was born they belonged to the state. The less strong infants were sent to a near by chasm and left to dye. The children who were able to survive were raised up under a disaplined rule. The men serve in the army from age 20 to age 60. Girls were educated in classes under a similar system, but with less rigor. The spartan government was run by two kings who ruled joinity.