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When King Xerxes came with his army which numbered around 300,000 men to conquer Greece (Herodotus claimed Xerxes had 5,000,000 men) after his fathers defeat by the Athenians at Marathon and the murder of his envoys by both the Spartans and Athenians (the Spartan king Cleomenes threw the envoys into a pit) Leonidas and the Athenian General Themistocles formed a great alliance to defeat the Persians. The Spartans as the Strongest Polis in Greece was given command of the alliance and intended to hold up the Persians at the Phoenician wall at Thermopylae so that a larger force could be assembled after the Spartan festival of the Carnea.
Leonidas took 7,000 Hoplites, including 300 Spartans, to Thermopylae where they held Xerxes for 3 days before they were out flanked. Meanwhile Themistocles guarded Leonidas' seaward flank fighting a series of costly engagements in the Straits of Artemisium and was finally able to retreat after the death of Leonidas.
The loss of Thermopylae left Athens unprotected and as part of the retreat Themistocles stopped at Athens before Xerxes arrived and evacuated most of the city before it was burned to the ground.
Themistocles later won a great victory at the Battle of Salamis, the Persians lost over 300 ships while the Greeks lost about 40. Despite the Greek victories Xerxes was still gaining ground and was nearing the Isthmus of Corinth and gaining Greek allies including Thebes. Believing that the Greek alliance would not continue much longer Xerxes returned to Persia, leaving about 70,000 men to finish the job but were defeated by a combined Greek army of 40,000 men, including 9000 Spartans and 8000 Athenians under the command of the Spartan general Pausanias at the Battle of Plataea.
The Spartans were viewed as having done the most to defeat the Persians and quickly became the dominant power in Greece which began a bitter rivalry with Athens who believed that they were as much responsible for the victory as Sparta.
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How were the roles of women different in Athens and Sparta?
In Athens women had no rights. In Sparta women had lots of rights
What is the thesis statement of Sparta and Athens?
The thesis statement of a comparison between Sparta and Athens could be: "Sparta and Athens were two prominent city-states in ancient Greece with distinct political, social, and military structures. While Sparta focused on militarism and discipline, Athens valued democracy and intellectual pursuits, leading to contrasting societies that played key roles in shaping Greek civilization."
What year did Athens and Sparta fought Persia?
Athens and Sparta, along with other Greek city-states, fought against Persia during the Greco-Persian Wars, which primarily took place from 499 to 449 BCE. Key battles include the Battle of Marathon in 490 BCE and the Battle of Salamis in 480 BCE. While both city-states played significant roles, Athens was particularly prominent in naval engagements, while Sparta excelled in land battles. Their collaboration was crucial in repelling Persian invasions.
What were the roles of Anthens and Sparta in the early years of the Persian Wars?
Sparta led the Greek coalition by land and sea. Athens provided the major sea battle contribution, and a significant component in the land battles.
What roles did Athens and Sparta play in the Peloponnesian War?
Athens was the maritime power and Sparta was the continental power. The war slogged on and off for over thirty years until Sparta finally gained superiority at sea, and a plague brought in form the Pontic grain ships killed possibly as many as one-third of the population of Athens, leaving it, almost literally, too weak to fight.
Did girls stay home with their mothers in Athens or Sparta?
In ancient Athens, girls typically stayed home with their mothers, focusing on domestic duties and preparing for their roles as wives and mothers. In contrast, Spartan girls received a more active education, participating in physical training and sports alongside boys, and had more freedom than their Athenian counterparts. While both city-states had distinct views on gender roles, the upbringing of girls differed significantly between Athens and Sparta.
What was one of the ways Sparta was different than Athens?
One of the primary differences between Sparta and Athens was their societal focus; Sparta prioritized military training and discipline, while Athens emphasized arts, philosophy, and democratic governance. Spartan society was organized around a rigid caste system and communal living, whereas Athenian life celebrated individualism and civic participation. This distinction influenced their respective cultures, values, and institutions, shaping their roles in ancient Greece.
Where 2 city states were located the Aegean sea from the main peninsula of Greece?
The two city-states located in the Aegean Sea near the Greek mainland are Athens and Sparta. Athens is situated on the Attic Peninsula, while Sparta is located inland, though it has access to the Aegean Sea through nearby ports. Both city-states played crucial roles in ancient Greek history and culture, with Athens known for its democracy and cultural achievements, and Sparta recognized for its military discipline and strength.
Why do the government of Athens and Sparta developed differently?
The governments of Athens and Sparta developed differently due to their distinct societal priorities and values. Athens emphasized democracy, individualism, and cultural achievements, fostering a system where citizens could participate in governance and the arts. In contrast, Sparta focused on militarism, discipline, and communal living, leading to an oligarchic structure that prioritized military strength and social conformity. These differing priorities shaped their political institutions and societal roles, resulting in contrasting government systems.
What were a few ways Athens and Sparta were similar and how were they different?
Athens and Sparta were both city-states in ancient Greece that played significant roles in Greek history and culture. They shared a common language and religious beliefs, and both participated in the Olympic Games. However, they differed significantly in their societal structures and values; Athens was known for its emphasis on democracy, philosophy, and the arts, while Sparta was a militaristic society focused on discipline, strength, and training warriors. This divergence in priorities shaped their respective cultures and led to distinct lifestyles for their citizens.
How are Athens to Sparta alike in terms of values and distribution of political power?
Athens and Sparta shared a commitment to their city-states and a sense of loyalty to their respective ways of life, but their values and political power structures were quite different. Athens valued democracy, fostering political participation among its citizens, while Sparta emphasized military discipline and oligarchy, with power concentrated in the hands of a few elite leaders. Both societies prioritized strength and stability, but Athens focused on intellectual and artistic achievements, whereas Sparta prioritized martial prowess and social conformity. Despite these differences, both city-states played crucial roles in shaping Greek civilization.
What roles do slaves play in Sparta and Athens?
In Sparta, slaves, known as helots, primarily worked the land and performed agricultural labor, allowing Spartan citizens to focus on military training and governance. Helots were subjected to harsh treatment and could be used in warfare, often serving as light infantry. In Athens, slaves played various roles, including household servants, laborers, and skilled artisans, contributing significantly to the economy. While Athenian slaves had some legal rights, they were still considered property and lacked personal freedom.
