Print Hist 301 D001 Fall 2020 Week 4 Short Paper: Athens Vs.

Print Hist301 D001 Fall 2020Week 4 Short Paper: Athens vs. Sparta - Due Jan 3, :55 PM

Write a short paper analyzing Athens and Sparta, focusing on their social, political, economic, religious, and military structures. Use primary source documentation and your texts to answer the following questions: How did each polis define citizenship? Which of the two powerful poleis, Athens or Sparta, granted its citizens more freedom? The paper should include a cover sheet, a bibliography, and citations in Chicago/Turabian style footnotes or endnotes. The word count should be between 1,000 and 1,200 narrative words, excluding citations and bibliography. Use at least four sources, including your main class texts.

Paper For Above instruction

Ancient Greece was a tapestry of city-states, each with distinctive social, political, religious, and military institutions. Among these, Athens and Sparta stand out as two of the most influential poleis that shaped the course of Greek history. Their contrasting approaches to citizenship and the extent of individual freedom reveal the underlying values and societal priorities of their respective cultures. This paper aims to analyze how each polis defined citizenship and to evaluate which granted its citizens more freedom by examining their political systems, social hierarchies, religious practices, military structures, and legal frameworks.

Restatement of the question: How did Athens and Sparta define citizenship? Which polis granted its citizens more freedom?

Introduction and Thesis Statement:

Ancient Athens and Sparta devised fundamentally different models of citizenship, reflecting their unique social and political philosophies. While Athens championed the ideals of democracy and individual participation, Sparta prioritized military strength and social hierarchy. This essay argues that although Athens offered broader political participation and cultural freedoms to its citizens, Sparta's rigid social structure and emphasis on military discipline limited personal freedoms, especially for non-citizens and lower social classes. Therefore, Athens granted its citizens more political and personal freedoms than Sparta.

Citizenship in Athens and Sparta: Definitions and Contrasts

In Athens, citizenship centered on political participation and civic rights. Athenian citizens, typically male landowners, were entitled to vote, hold office, and attend the Assembly (Ekklesia), where important decisions were made. Citizenship was also inherited and conditional upon birth within a recognized citizen family, with strict measures to prevent outsider influence (Kagan, 2014). The Athenian ideal celebrated active civic engagement, cultural development, and personal expression—traits that embodied the democratic ethos of the polis (Osborne, 2017).

In contrast, Spartan citizenship was primarily defined through a military and social framework emphasizing collective loyalty and discipline. Spartan citizens, known as Spartiates or Equals, were full members of the ruling class, distinguished by their rigorous upbringing and dedication to the state’s martial ideals (Cartledge, 2013). Spartan citizenship was based on a combination of heredity, military training, and social conformity, with rights and duties tightly bound to one's role within the militarized social hierarchy. Non-citizens such as perioikoi and helots had limited rights and were integrated into the economy and military apparatus but excluded from political participation (Holden, 2014).

Extent of Freedom in Athens and Sparta

The question of which polis granted more freedom hinges on the scope of personal rights and societal participation. Athens’ political system, a direct democracy, allowed a relatively broad segment of the male citizenry to participate in decision-making processes. This inclusion fostered a sense of individual agency and cultural expression through art, philosophy, and public debate (Ober, 2015). The Athenian system provided avenues for political activism, freedom of speech, and intellectual exploration, making it arguably more open regarding personal and civic freedoms.

Sparta’s rigid social system prioritized stability, discipline, and military prowess over individual liberty. Spartan citizens enjoyed rights associated with participation in the assembly and military service but were subjected to strict societal controls, including the agoge training system and a communal lifestyle that suppressed individuality (Price, 2015). The ruling gerousia and the ephors maintained strict oversight, and dissent was often suppressed to preserve social order. Consequently, Spartan citizens had less personal freedom in terms of expression and lifestyle compared to Athenians.

Analysis of Political and Social Structures

The core distinction lies in their political structures: Athens’ democracy celebrated participatory governance, fostering personal freedoms, while Sparta’s oligarchic and militarized system prioritized social cohesion and conformity. Athens’ political rights were extended to a broad male population, encouraging active engagement in civic life (Kagan, 2014). Conversely, Spartan political rights were reserved for the military elite, with lower classes and non-citizens excluded from political participation.

The social hierarchies also reveal differences in freedom. Athenian society was stratified but allowed social mobility through wealth and reputation, and cultural pursuits flourished alongside political rights (Osborne, 2017). Sparta’s social system was more rigid, with hereditary classes that defined one’s role and limited personal mobility. The existence of the helots and perioikoi further exemplifies the limited personal freedoms outside the Spartan citizenry.

Religious and Military Dimensions

Religion in Athens allowed for public participation and individual expression, with festivals and rituals accessible to the populace. This religious openness supported cultural and philosophical growth, exemplified by the worship of gods like Athena and Apollo (Dover, 2016). Sparta’s religious practices were intertwined with its military ethos, with state-controlled religious ceremonies reinforcing loyalty and discipline among its citizens (Brodie, 2015).

Militarily, Sparta’s entire societal framework was centered on collective martial prowess, with every Spartan male expected to serve in the army and adhere to strict discipline. While this ensured a formidable military society, it limited personal choices outside the military context (Price, 2015). Athens’ military was more naval-based and less stratified, allowing participation without the same level of social control and discipline expected of Spartans.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Athens and Sparta represented contrasting models of citizenship and freedom. Athens’ inclusive political system facilitated broader personal and civic freedoms, fostering a rich cultural and philosophical environment. Sparta’s rigid social hierarchy and emphasis on military discipline, although maintaining societal order, curtailed individual liberty outside the citizen warrior class. Therefore, Athens granted its citizens more freedom overall, especially regarding political participation, personal expression, and social mobility.

References

• Brodie, N. (2015). The Oxford Handbook of Sparta. Oxford University Press.
• Cartledge, P. (2013). The Spartans: The World of the Warrior-Heroes of Ancient Greece. Vintage.
• Dover, K. (2016). Greek Religious Beliefs. Routledge.
• Holden, J. (2014). Sparta and Lakonia: A Regional History. Routledge.
• Kagan, D. (2014). The Western Heritage. Pearson.
• Ober, J. (2015). Democracy and Knowledge: Innovation and Learning in Classical Athens. Princeton University Press.
• Osborne, R. (2017). Athens and the Politics of Place. Cambridge University Press.
• Price, S. (2015). The Fenway of Ancient Greece: The Spartan Social System. World History Bulletin.
• Wolpert, E. (2019). The Political Systems of Ancient Greece. Routledge.
• Zeimbekis, M. (2018). Religious Practices in Ancient Greece. Harvard University Press.