What are some good points about the ancient Spartan government and some bad points about the Athenian government?

kevinatilusa

Some things to think about --The Spartan people's military preparedness did come in handy from time to time (including when they defeated Athens in their war together) --Despite the supposed enlightenment of Athens it was still barbaric in certain ways (the word draconian comes from a code of laws by the Athenian Draco -- see http://ancienthistory.about.com/cs/greecehellas1/a/cylonanddraco_2.htm ) --Women were in some sense freer in Sparta than in Athens (see http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/GREECE/SPARTA.HTM ) --The Athenian government didn't exactly seem to be too stable (see http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/GREECE/ATHENS.HTM ) May 16 04, 5:55 PM

gmackematix

Are you referring to any particular time in history as the answer probably varies throughout the classical era. Note that Draco's code of law may have been harsh (death as punishment for most offences) but we have no record of Sparta having a code of law at this time. Solon had greatly reformed the law of Draco in Athens in the 7th century BC, before Sparta became a major player in Greek affairs. When both were at their height in the 5th century, Sparta's laws, largely thought to have been drawn up by legislator and king of Sparta, Lycurgus, were harsh. The constitution was geared towards rigid disciplne, with the weak and helpless being segregated and left to die and boys from the age of seven being taken away for military training. Athens (sometimes called Attica), under rulers such as Pericles, on the other hand, was a society based on elections and ostracism that allowed art and culture to flourish. May 16 04, 7:10 PM

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