The main formation utilised by the hoplite was the “phalanx”, where hoplites stand shoulder to shoulder with long pikes out in front of them. An underground organisation known as the “krypteia” would conduct regular ‘cleansings’ of helots. The Spartan army became so formidable, to ensure no uprisings occurred. The helots far outnumbered their Spartan masters, so a check had to be kept on them, through scare tactics. One reason Sparta had such a militaristically based society was its need to maintain and exercise control of the helots, slaves from Messenia (Greece). It was their education system known as the “agoge” which involved harsh training in the wilderness and in barracks, that brought this widely sought after brilliance on the battlefield. The Spartan hoplite endured rigorous training from the age of 7, to become a part of one of the finest type of warriors of the ancient world. Being a militaristic state, Sparta’s primary focus was on its land-based army, composed of armoured hoplites. Sparta was in the Peloponnesus, south of Athens. While Sparta and Athens both developed formidable land and sea forces at different stages in their history, each dominated in one particular arm of the military. The systems and structure of government in Sparta and Athens did have a degree of disparity, but shared many things in common too. Three men paved the way to democracy for Athens – firstly Solon, followed by Pisistratus, and then finally Cleisthenes. Each kept the other under check, enabling no one to gain absolute power. Sparta countered the idea of a autocrat by putting two kings in place, and an overseeing body of five Ephors. Athens, being a democracy, used the masses as well as nobles, aristocrats and generals as a part of their government. Also, neither employed the fundamental idea of autocracy – a sole, omnipotent ruler. With this in mind though, the structures of Athens’s and Sparta’s governments were not totally dissimilar.īoth forms of government ensured that every person was within the law, none could escape. This differed from Sparta’s rule by the few, which allowed for much less say from the people – next to none, in fact. The Pnyx was a hill where the Athenian Ekklesia would meet, with a speaker's platform called the 'Bema'Īthens is seen as the birthplace of democracy – where a large number of the population had a say in state affairs and proceedings. This was an area close by to the markets and social centre of Athens, the “agora”. The Athenian assembly, known as the “ekklesia”, sat to discuss political, militaristic and social matters and agendas in the pnyx. Others were chosen by a method called ‘lot’ voting. Each would take charge for about a month, and ten generals were automatically elected due to their experience. 5000 to 6000 men were narrowed down to a group of 500, who would then be divided into groups of 50. On the other hand, Athens was a democracy, which meant “rule by the people” – “demos” (people, or the masses) and “kratis” (rule). Sparta’s system of government was very exclusive and open to members of the only the highest social standing.

The process by which this was undertaken was by a simple shouting of ‘yes’ or ‘no’.Īs a whole, the five Ephors had the power to overrule the Kings, but tended to keep to religious and militaristic duties. Other purposes of the general assembly were to vote on and pass legislation and make civil decisions. The Spartan equivalent of the senate was its “gerousia”, while Ephors and the Kings would regularly attend the “apella” (general assembly) to develop and try to pass “rhetrai”, or motions and decrees. Five Ephors were elected annually, accompanied by two kings, who passed on the crowns to their chosen sons. The Ancient Greek “oligos” translates to “few”, while “archia” means “rule” – ‘rule by the few’. Possibly the most characteristic divide between these two great powers of the Ancient Mediterranean is their differing systems of government. In addition to this, the social gatherings of Athenians and Spartans both had affinities and contrasts.

Sparta and Athens shared similarities and differences in their systems of government, militaristic focuses, judgment and views of women. The differences are what set the two apart, while the things they shared in common are what united them as Greek city-states. However, at the same time, the two shared a myriad of characteristics in common. Spartan and Athenian society were very different in many aspects.

Athenian hoplite shield patterns