Question

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Use the paragraphs below to answer the question.

How was the government of Sparta similar to the government of Athens How was it different?




You have learned that the government of Athens was a democracy. This meant that all citizens of Athens had power in government. Athens was not always that way. In 600 BCE, the government of Athens was an oligarchy. This means "rule by a small group of people." This small group was usually made up of wealthy nobles. Many lower-class men in Athens were upset about being ruled by a small group. The leader Solon responded by making changes. He allowed more Athenian men to participate in the government. In the early 500s BCE, another leader, Cleisthenes, created a full democracy. All male citizens had the right to vote about issues in the Ecclesia, or assembly. Decisions were made based on the majority of votes.

In Sparta, citizens also had a say in government. However, Sparta’s government remained an oligarchy. Citizens could vote in an assembly, like the citizens in Athens. But most power was held by a few people in the top levels of government.

The Spartans believed that a lawgiver named Lycurgus had set up their government in the seventh century BCE. Historians today are not sure whether Lycurgus was a real person. It seems that Spartans set up their government system at about that time, however. A revolt of the helots convinced the Spartans that they needed a stable military government to make their society safe.

Answer 1

Both Athens and Sparta had an Assembly, whose members were elected by the people. ... Athens was ruled by archons, who were elected annually. Thus, because both parts of Athens' government had leaders who were elected, Athens is said to have been the birthplace of democracy. Spartan life was simple.