Discussion: Athenian or Spartan?
Greek civilization was complex. On one hand it involved a set of shared values, beliefs and culture. Yet on the other, each city-state was distinctively different from the others. In this discussion you will explore those similarities and differences by examining and comparing the the city-states of Athens and Sparta.
Read – All of the following readings should be used in your discussion.
- Making of the West,
- Chapter 2, Section, “The Creation of the Greek City State”
- Chapter 2, Section, “New Directions for the Greek City-State”
- Plutarch on Life in Sparta (1st c. BCE) (See below the description of the discussion)
- Pericles Funeral Oration (See below the description of the discussion.)
Discuss:
- Describe one common aspect of Greek culture shared by Athenians and Spartans. (Focus on one aspect like religion, heroism, citizenship or something else presented in the readings.)
- Discuss one way in which Athenians and Spartans differed. (Explore a significant difference in detail.)
- Based upon your comparison, would you have preferred to live in Athens or Sparta? Why?
