Sparta was very different from many of the other city-states. While city-states like Athens were known for their politicians and trade, Sparta was know for its warriors, farming, willingness to conquer other people, and valued women.
Government
Earlier in the website you learned that Athens had a form of government called democracy.
The city-state of Sparta had a very different kind of government, an oligarchy. This means that only a few people shared the ruling power.
Sparta had a Council of Elders that was made up of two kings who shared equal power. There were also 28 other members of the council. In addition, Sparta had an Assembly made up of a large group of male citizens of Sparta. The Council of Elders had all of the real power though. They made up laws and then sent them to the Assembly for approval.
The city-state of Sparta had a very different kind of government, an oligarchy. This means that only a few people shared the ruling power.
Sparta had a Council of Elders that was made up of two kings who shared equal power. There were also 28 other members of the council. In addition, Sparta had an Assembly made up of a large group of male citizens of Sparta. The Council of Elders had all of the real power though. They made up laws and then sent them to the Assembly for approval.
Economy
Sparta's economy depended on farming and conquering other people. There wasn't enough land in Sparta to produce the food needed to sustain the people, so they had to take over many of their neighbors in order to get more food.
They used these conquered people as slaves. They called them helots and made them give up most of their food to the Spartan people. They also used conquered free men, called perioikoi, to produce goods such as spears and pottery.
They used these conquered people as slaves. They called them helots and made them give up most of their food to the Spartan people. They also used conquered free men, called perioikoi, to produce goods such as spears and pottery.
Education
The main point of education in Sparta was to develop citizens that could protect their city-state. Both boys and girls were taught how to fight.
Young boys were also taught to read and write, but these skills were not valued nearly as much as strength and courage. Spartan boys lived in military barracks until they were 30 years old, so they could be trained to serve in the military.
Young boys were also taught to read and write, but these skills were not valued nearly as much as strength and courage. Spartan boys lived in military barracks until they were 30 years old, so they could be trained to serve in the military.
The Role of Women
Spartan women had more rights than women in any other Greek city-state. They were expected to fight and defend their city-state if it was attacked and were also allowed to take care of their husband's property when he was away at war.
They had other rights too. They could speak to friends of their husband. They could also own property and marry another man if their husband was away at war for too long.
They had other rights too. They could speak to friends of their husband. They could also own property and marry another man if their husband was away at war for too long.