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Mr. Cistaro / Mr. C. Ancient athens and sparta. XAIRETE. Welcome to Ancient Athens & Sparta. Introduction. My name is Mark Cistaro. I have 4 children. 2 are in High School, 2 are in this room! Luc (Luciano) Mara (Marianna)
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Mr. Cistaro / Mr. C Ancient athens and sparta
XAIRETE • Welcome to Ancient Athens & Sparta.
Introduction • My name is Mark Cistaro. • I have 4 children. • 2 are in High School, 2 are in this room! • Luc (Luciano) • Mara (Marianna) • Studied Biology, History, Chemistry, & Classics (Greek and Latin) • Email: MCISTARO@HAMILTONSCHOOLS.US • Website: MRCATHAM.WEEBLY.COM
Here is your question! • Do you have a computer and access to the internet and/or email?
What do we know about the Ancient Greeks? • Did the ancient Greeks own slaves? • [True - even democratic Athens had no compunction about owning slaves] • Could women vote in democratic Athens? • [False - in fact, arguably, women had more power over their lives in Sparta] • Were most city-states actually cities? • [False - the vast majority were only small towns of a few hundred citizens] • Did the ancient Greeks have nobles and aristocrats? • [True - even in democratic Athens the aristocrats remained a force to be reckoned with] • Was the secret of ancient Greece's success its rich, fertile land? • [False - the mountainous terrain was only suitable for a few select crops like olives and grapes] • Did the ancient Greeks value wealth above all else? • [False - fame and honor meant much more to the average Greek citizen than wealth].
Athens and Sparta • During the 5th century BC, Greece was dominated by two main powers: democratic Athens and the military oligarchy of Sparta. • These city-states were very different. • Sparta was traditionally the great land power of the Greek world and controlled many neighboring territories whose populations were tied to the land as slaves. • Athens' power was based upon its command of the sea, and though it was officially only head of a naval alliance (the Delian League), in practice this amounted to an empire in all but name.
Athens - GOVERNMENT • Eventually the Athenian government developed into a direct democracy. • In a direct democracy all citizens vote on major issues instead of electing representatives to do it for them. • As a result, this governmental system required frequent meetings of the Athenians to vote on important issues. • These meetings often entailed debates among the citizens over policy decisions, such as going to war against another city-state. • Athens' direct democracy served as an important step toward individual freedom and the involvement of individuals in the decision-making process of the government. • However, only FREE males, over the age of 18, could vote.
Athens - VALUES • Cultural advancement, balance, order, education, and debate were all very important as was citizen-participation in the government. • Even though Athens was a democracy there were slaves and women could not vote, hold office, or inherit property.
Sparta - GOVERNMENT • Sparta's government was basically an oligarchy, which is a government controlled by a small group of people. • Often times at meetings the group that was able to shout the loudest would be the ones who won a vote or had their policy accepted. • The Spartan government was mostly concerned with ensuring that the city-state had a powerful military machine to protect itself from outside invasion and to conquer others. • The government also forbade its citizen to travel abroad and did not often accept visitors. • They feared that outside contact would weaken the discipline of the population.
Sparta - VALUES • Above all, the Spartans valued strength and virility. • Babies that did not appear strong were often discarded. • Since strength was valued over intellect and academic achievement the Spartans made few cultural contributions to Western Civilization. • BUT, the areas where they did influence have stayed with us till today. • ‘Spartan’ & ‘Laconic’ • Witty Comebacks • Governmental Structure • Military (Barracks, etc.)
Unique Things About Athens • Ostracism (ὀστρακισμός) • Under the Athenian democracy in which any citizen could be expelled from the city-state of Athens for ten years. • While some instances clearly expressed popular anger at the citizen, ostracism was often used preemptively. It was used as a way of neutralizing someone thought to be a threat to the state or potential tyrant.
Unique Things About Athens • Ostracism (ὀστρακισμός) • Pericles • Cimon • Aristides
Ostracism (ὀστρακισμός) • Broken pottery, abundant and virtually free, served as a kind of scrap paper. • Each year the Athenians were asked in the assembly whether they wished to hold an ostracism. • According to Plutarch, the ostracism was considered valid if the total number of votes cast was at least 6,000.
Ostracism (ὀστρακισμός) • The person nominated had ten days to leave the city. • If he attempted to return, the penalty was death. • The property of the man banished was not confiscated and there was no loss of status. • After the ten years, he was allowed to return without stigma
For Next Time • Check the class website