Greek City-States:
Athens vs Sparta
Only 150 miles separated Athens and Sparta. However, these two Greek cities were as different as they could be. But why were they so different?
Part of the answer is geography. Athens is only four miles from the Aegean Sea. So, its location encouraged Athenians to look outward toward the world beyond the city. Athenians enjoyed traveling. They wanted to spread their own ideas and to learn from others. They encouraged artists from other parts of Greece to come and share their knowledge of art and architecture. Athens developed strong relationships with other city-states. It grew and thrived through trade. A great fleet also made it the leading naval power in Greece.
In contrast, Sparta was more isolated. That is because it was located on a narrow plain on a peninsula in southern Greece known as the Peloponnesus (pel-uh-puh-NEE-suhs). Mountains surrounded Sparta on three sides. The sea was about 25 miles away. Spartans were suspicious of outsiders and their ideas. They could already grow much of what they needed in the fertile soil around Sparta. But what they could not grow, Sparta's powerful armies would often steal from their neighbors. Athenians boasted of their art and culture. But Spartans valued a simple way of life. And they valued strength. They taught their sons and daughters to fight. Spartans were proud to produce soldiers rather than artists and thinkers.
For most of their histories, these two city-states were bitter rivals. As you continue reading, you will notice that the major differences between Athens and Sparta could be seen in almost every part of life.
You and your partner will become experts in one part of one of these great city-states and you will use your knowledge to create a set of Google Slides to teach the rest of your class about your topic.
Part of the answer is geography. Athens is only four miles from the Aegean Sea. So, its location encouraged Athenians to look outward toward the world beyond the city. Athenians enjoyed traveling. They wanted to spread their own ideas and to learn from others. They encouraged artists from other parts of Greece to come and share their knowledge of art and architecture. Athens developed strong relationships with other city-states. It grew and thrived through trade. A great fleet also made it the leading naval power in Greece.
In contrast, Sparta was more isolated. That is because it was located on a narrow plain on a peninsula in southern Greece known as the Peloponnesus (pel-uh-puh-NEE-suhs). Mountains surrounded Sparta on three sides. The sea was about 25 miles away. Spartans were suspicious of outsiders and their ideas. They could already grow much of what they needed in the fertile soil around Sparta. But what they could not grow, Sparta's powerful armies would often steal from their neighbors. Athenians boasted of their art and culture. But Spartans valued a simple way of life. And they valued strength. They taught their sons and daughters to fight. Spartans were proud to produce soldiers rather than artists and thinkers.
For most of their histories, these two city-states were bitter rivals. As you continue reading, you will notice that the major differences between Athens and Sparta could be seen in almost every part of life.
You and your partner will become experts in one part of one of these great city-states and you will use your knowledge to create a set of Google Slides to teach the rest of your class about your topic.
After you and your partner are assigned a topic, click the link below to get the information for your slides.