Sparta Vs. Athens

3 Pages 794 Words

As Greece ascended from the dark ages, two very distinct city-states, Sparta and Athens, each possessing its own unique values, defined its development. Athens emphasized the importance of democracy and shared justice, while Sparta prided its military prowess. Athenians boasted their superior form of democracy, while the Spartans would subject the youth to rigorous military training. A good education and a superior political system define the society in Athens, while aspiration for manliness and military glory shapes Sparta’s sociological structure.
The ideal for Sparta was to train soldiers from their youth—to have a country full of able fighters and warriors. In fact, despite the relatively sparse population of Spartans, the community had a strong military presence, and extraordinary power. The ideal life was one striving towards the military. Obedience was the main subject of study among young Spartans, as they were sent to a public guardian, known as a paidonomos, instead of being treated by a private tutor. At the same time that life as a warrior was held in highest regard, death as a soldier was also the most lauded form of decease, as can be seen from the first line of a poem written by Tyrtaeus, a poet active around the Second Messenian War in the mid-sixth century B.C.E, “Beautiful and honorable it is for a brave warrior to die, fallen among the foremost fighters, in battle for his native land…” Tyrtaeus promotes soldiers to “not begin shameful flight of fear…and do not show love for your lives when you are fighting with warriors.” When a young soldier falls in battle, it is “beautiful and honorable when he lies among the foremost fighters.” The Spartans are taught here that he most important ideal in life is the military.
The Spartan youth were subjected to a life that would prepare them for every possible situation bound to arise in a military scenario. They did not wear shoes, which would serve only ...