Differences Between Sparta And Athens

The Difference in Free Sparta and Athens

Danny Cantrell
HIST 301 D001
Ancient Greece
Robert Busek
1 January 2017

Sparta and Athens were two of the most influential city-states in Greece. Each state defined freedom through citizenship which allowed the population to have a voice within the political systems of their respective city-state. Sparta and Athens allied together to repel the invading Persians forces, but in other aspects could not be more different in their type of government and social structure. Both Sparta and Athens were great cities whose individual status was both respected and feared by other Greek city-states. Athens however took the lead in trade, diplomacy, art, and science. Sparta may have been a great
city in Greece, but its ideas of freedom and lack of production of trade, diplomacy, art, and science caused it to not be able to stand the test of time.
Sparta in the early years was largely anarchic like most Greek city-states. The political system was ruled primarily by strongmen. Sparta in fact was like most Greek cities strong in cultural achievements of literature’s and arts. Historian William Durant wrote about Sparta as “a Greek city like the rest, and blossomed out in song and art.” The changes that happened in Sparta and its social behavior, happened under Lycurgus through a series of reforms both socially and politically. Prior to the Peloponnesian War it was difficult to establish what model of government regime ruled even by Plato, Aristotle, and Niccolo Machiavelli. Since the Peloponnesian War, “outsiders such as Socrates’ Athenian students Critias and Xenophon became intimately familiar with Lacedaemonian mores, manners, and laws.” And their detailed descriptions gave insight into Spartan society.
Sparta survived through “communal solidarity” , and recognized that different interests fostered through trade and industry was a danger in creating factions.
An example of the extremes Sparta took to limit individualism was in their monetary system. “Fearful that competition for wealth would set the citizens at odds, she coined no money, used flat iron ingots in its place, and at least at one point, expressly outlawed the private possession of silver and gold.” Another measure taken was with men under thirty who comprised the Spartan army. These men were also “banned visits to the agora” , and as Plutarch remarks they were “the craftsmen of war, not the maker of pots.” Their purpose was to gain reputation and valor through battle. To create this Spartan army they practiced infanticide keeping only those fit to serve. The city would grant an equal allotment of land worked by the depressed class of Helots so that the Spartan may pursue his efforts in mastering the art of war and virtue. Spartan males would serve beginning at the age of seven until they are thirty with their whole life dedicated to this pursuit. To pursue this it seems there was a significant strain put to end “the private element in human life, at making the adult male Spartiate an almost entirely public being by eliminating to the greatest degree possible the last refuge of privacy- the family” The strict rule of law and militaristic society in Sparta had left no room for change as there was no individual pursuits. To change would be to lose control over the population as they began to form opinions contrary to tradition and beliefs. Sparta was ruled by despotism and the effect was what leaders had intended for Sparta to be armed society supported by slaves. The social system and government in Sparta had two purposes, to keep the Helot population under control and provide a powerful military capability increasing Sparta’s power and prominence. Will Durant concluded “The System had to be
ungracious in order to protect itself and a breath from that excluded world of freedom, luxury, letters, and arts might topple over this strange and artificial society.”
In Athens, reforms were also made by Solon to keep the peace and move Athens in another direction. This direction saw an immediate series of reforms socially and an introduction of a new constitution. Before Solon’s reforms, the indebted populace could be sold into slavery for failure to pay to the debtor, primarily consisting of the rich ruling class. The ruling class was primarily in control of political power and used this power to their advantage leaving the poor without a true voice, even as citizens. Aristotle described this as “A few proprietors owned all the soil, and the cultivators with their wives and children were liable to be sold as slaves on failure to pay their rent.” Plutarch also remarks “The disparity of fortune between the rich and the poor had reached its height, so that the city seemed to be in truly dangerous condition.” Solon accepted the position of Archon and was given almost absolute power. The poor believed him to be honest and the rich considered him one of their own. Plutarch’s account “the rich consented because he was wealthy, the poor because he was honest” either way Solon would take charge and begin to institute reforms in Athens.
Solon began to set in motion a series of reforms to abolish the practice of selling Athenians into slavery. Solon also began cancelling debts which was known as Seisachtea. Plutarch’s writes “For the first thing which he settled was, that what debt remained should be forgiven, and no man, for the future, should engage the body of his debtor for security,” but it only took into account Athenian citizens, slavery for non-citizens still existed and even increased over time. This reform stopped short of redistribution of land that had been seized by the wealthy, but relieved the pressure that would have led to a possible civil war even though all were not happy at the time as Plutarch notes “In this he pleased neither party, for the rich were angry for their money, and the poor that the land was not divided.” Will Durant noted that “Within a decade opinion became almost unanimous that the act had saved Attica from revolution.” Solon also ensured that representation of citizens of Athens was equal politically through a series of reforms that gave them voice in the assembly whether rich or poor, a citizen of Athens had rights as equals. Athens believed that individuals have freedoms to pursue their own interests, unlike that of the Spartan Society where it’s the interest of the collective society as a whole leaving no room for individualism.
The Spartans had achieved a powerful and sophisticated city-state. Their interest was in the collection of the whole of society and built their beliefs and laws to be followed in achieving highest virtue. This did not allow for many changes as Ideas outside of this were frowned upon. Athenians believed more in individual rights and freedoms, and could pursue their own interests, keep the product of their labor, and trade or deal freely with other city state’s outside of Athens rule. The freedoms that Athenians enjoyed over the Spartans led to “the work of Aristotle and Plato” whose modes of thought have lasted millennia. Athenians created art, literature, math, and technology. Summed up by Will Durant, “Those who cherish freedom, reason, and beauty will hear the voices of Solon and Socrates, of Plato and Epicurus and Archimedes; they will be grateful for the existence of such men, they will think of Greece as the bright morning of the Western civilization.” Sparta’s freedom did not last because it allowed for no change, and Athens encouraged change through freedom.

Bibliography
Aristotle, The Athenian Constitution. London, England: Penguin Books Ltd, 2002.
Durant, Will. The Life of Greece. New York: Simon and Schuster Digital Sales Inc., 1966.
Plutarch, Plutarch’s Lives: Life of Solon. New York City, New York: Oia Press, 2015.
Rahe, Paule A. The Spartan Regime. Yale University Press: Yale University, 2016.