In this Grade 6 lesson from History Alive! The Ancient World, students compare the government, economy, education, and social structure of two major Greek city-states, Athens and Sparta. Students learn how geography shaped each city's development, including Athens' democratic Council of 500 and its trade-based economy versus Sparta's military-focused society on the Peloponnesus. The lesson also examines how each city-state treated women and enslaved people, highlighting the stark contrasts in daily life between the two rivals.
Section 1
Geography Shapes City-States
The geography of a city-state, or its physical location, played a big role in shaping its culture and values.
Athens was located on the coast, with easy access to the sea. This position helped Athens become a center for trade. Athenian ships sailed across the Mediterranean, bringing back goods, wealth, and new ideas from other lands.
Section 2
City-States Choose Different Rulers
Athens developed a new form of government called democracy, which means “rule by the people.” In this system, all free men born in Athens were considered citizens. These citizens could gather and vote directly on every law and major decision the city-state made.
Sparta chose a different path. It was an oligarchy, or “rule by a few.” A small, powerful group made all the decisions for everyone else. This group included two kings and a council of older men, and their main goal was to maintain Sparta’s military strength.
Section 3
City-States Build Different Economies
Athens was a democracy that valued education, art, and innovation. Athenians built a strong economy based on maritime trade. While they trained for war, they prized a well-rounded education in reading, music, and debate.
Section 4
City-States Educated Boys for Different Goals
In Athens, education aimed to create well-rounded citizens. Boys learned reading, writing, math, and music. They also trained their bodies for sports and military service. This prepared them to participate in the city's democratic government and cultural life.
Sparta, a military state, had a very different goal. From age seven, boys were taken from their homes to begin harsh military training. Their education focused entirely on creating disciplined, obedient, and tough soldiers to defend Sparta and control its large population of enslaved helots.
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Section 1
Geography Shapes City-States
The geography of a city-state, or its physical location, played a big role in shaping its culture and values.
Athens was located on the coast, with easy access to the sea. This position helped Athens become a center for trade. Athenian ships sailed across the Mediterranean, bringing back goods, wealth, and new ideas from other lands.
Section 2
City-States Choose Different Rulers
Athens developed a new form of government called democracy, which means “rule by the people.” In this system, all free men born in Athens were considered citizens. These citizens could gather and vote directly on every law and major decision the city-state made.
Sparta chose a different path. It was an oligarchy, or “rule by a few.” A small, powerful group made all the decisions for everyone else. This group included two kings and a council of older men, and their main goal was to maintain Sparta’s military strength.
Section 3
City-States Build Different Economies
Athens was a democracy that valued education, art, and innovation. Athenians built a strong economy based on maritime trade. While they trained for war, they prized a well-rounded education in reading, music, and debate.
Section 4
City-States Educated Boys for Different Goals
In Athens, education aimed to create well-rounded citizens. Boys learned reading, writing, math, and music. They also trained their bodies for sports and military service. This prepared them to participate in the city's democratic government and cultural life.
Sparta, a military state, had a very different goal. From age seven, boys were taken from their homes to begin harsh military training. Their education focused entirely on creating disciplined, obedient, and tough soldiers to defend Sparta and control its large population of enslaved helots.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter