What are the main characteristics of Athens and Sparta?

Answer 1

Sparta had a more militaristic state than Athens. Sparta had all men training for the military at age seven and ending at age sixty (so basically their whole life was for the military). Also, Sparta valued women much more than Athens. In Athens, women had no rights at all and were only there to reproduce and to clean up after the men and manage the home. They also took care of the babies. Unlike the Sparta women who were allowed to have military training (but could not serve in the military), play sports, learn about the arts, go out in public, and own property/stores. Those from Sparta were descendants of the Dorian invaders, however those from Athens were descendants of the Ionians. Athens founded democracy, and believed that the individual was important, while Sparta believed in the state rather than the individual, with a government based on a oligarchic system. Sparta based their society on the repression of 'Helots' (slaves). Athens freed their slaves and abolished debt slavery.