Ch 27 Life in Two City-States Athens and

Ch. 27 Life in Two City-States: Athens and Sparta

27. 2 Athens • central Greece • Only 4 miles from the Aegean Sea • Strong navy Sparta • Narrow plain in the Peloponnesu s • Surrounded on three sides by mountains • 25 miles from the sea

27. 3 Athenian Government • Democracy – Every citizen could participate in the city’s gov’t (Direct Democracy) – Citizen = free Athenian men, 18 years + – Council of 500 • Chosen randomly from all citizens 30 yrs+ • Day-to-day business • Met everyday – Assembly • debated and voted on all laws • Approved laws • Included every citizen • Met every 10 days • 6, 000 citizens must be present

27. 4 Athenian Economy • Trade with foreign land & other citystates • Buy & sell in the agora • Coins to facilitate trade

27. 5 Education in Athens • Boys taught at home by mother until 6 or 7 • School 6 – 14 –Reading, writing, arithmetic, literature, sports, music • Military training at 18 • Private tutor for wealthy • Purpose – to make good citizens

27. 6 Women & slaves in Athens Women • Not citizens • Couldn’t choose husband • Couldn’t own property • Some priestesses • Managed household • Didn’t go out alone

27. 6 Women & slaves in Athens Slaves • Born slaves or captured in war • Variety of jobs, some highly skilled • Some in silver mines

27. 7 Spartan Government Oligarchy • Real power in hands of a few • Council of Elders – 2 kings & 28 others – Important decisions – 60 years+, wealthy – Served for life • Assembly – Little power – Didn’t debate issues

27. 8 Spartan Economy • Limited trading • Farming • Slaves (helots) & noncitizens produced goods • Conquered other people • Iron bars used for money

27. 9 Education in Sparta • Age 7 - Trained to fight • Boys taught to suffer pain without complaining • Age 20 - Fitness & military test – Must pass to be soldier & full citizen • Live with family at age 30 • Purpose – to make good soldiers

27. 10 Women & Slaves in Sparta Women • Same simple life as men • Strong & ready to fight • Looked after husband’s property while gone • Could own and control property

27. 10 Women & Slaves in Sparta Slaves • Treated very harshly • Killed if thought to rebel • Could marry freely • Sell extra crops • Buy freedom