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BLANCA MENDOZA
602
The very first chapter of this article compares the culture and military power of the
ancient Greek city-states of Sparta and Athens. In Athens, they established a
democratic form of government with laws, a jury system, and military leaders, and
allowed only men to participate in politics. The goal of an Athenian education is to
produce well-rounded individuals who can make meaningful contributions to society.
In contrast, the Spartans raised their children to be warriors, subjecting them to
rigorous military training from an early age. Spartan society revolved around military
discipline and protection against rivals and rebellious helots. The Spartan
government functioned as an oligarchy, consisting of two kings, a council of nobles,
and a limited assembly. Athenian and Spartan lifestyles were very different. The
Athenians indulged in lavish parties and intellectual pursuits, while the Spartans
adopted a simple, disciplined lifestyle centered around military training. This chapter
provides a foundation for understanding the unique characteristics and social
structures of Sparta and Athens, emphasizing how their unique strengths shaped
their social norms and values. It highlights the vast differences in education,
governance and social priorities between the two city-states and lays the groundwork
for further exploration of their distinct cultural and military traditions. This analysis
provides a valuable insight into the richness of ancient Greek civilization.
The second chapter of this article examines in depth the importance of the Olympic
Games in ancient Greece as the unifying force of the Greek city-states. Held in
honor of Zeus, these games brought the Greeks together with competitions in a
variety of sports, including javelin, wrestling, discus, and running. It highlights how
the ancient Olympic Games were the forerunners of the modern Olympic Games,
continuing to promote physical fitness and skill improvement every four years. These
games provided a platform for friendly competition and camaraderie between
city-states, fostering a sense of unity and shared cultural identity. In addition, this
chapter also explores the political system of Ancient Greece, which was
characterized by various forms of governance such as tyranny, aristocracy, oligarchy,
and democracy. It is worth noting that Athens is known for its democratic system,
which allows male citizens to participate in parliamentary debates, vote on issues
and even exclude their fellow citizens. The democratic legal architecture that
SUMMARY CHAPTERS 1-4
BLANCA MENDOZA
602
The third chapter "Ancient Greece and Rome" deals with the characteristic features
and social environment of Sparta, one of the famous Greek city-states. Sparta was
known for its devotion to military discipline and national defense, which greatly
influenced the way of life and values of its citizens. This chapter examines how
Spartan society focused on the military, where children were subjected to rigorous
training from an early age to become skilled warriors. Sparta was an oligarchy with
two kings, a council of nobles, and a limited assembly that demonstrated a hierarchy
that prioritized military power and collective defense. In addition, this chapter also
examines the role of helots in Spartan society. These state-owned serfs undertook
the task of agricultural labor and played a very important role in supporting Spartan
economic and military endeavors, reflecting the complex social structure of Sparta.
This chapter also explores unique Spartan cultural practices and traditions, such as
the emphasis on physical fitness, discipline, and loyalty to the state. These aspects
of Spartan society contributed to its reputation as a powerful military power in
Ancient Greece, influencing its relations with other city-states and shaping its
identity. In short, Chapter 3 provides a comprehensive overview of Sparta's social
structure, military orientation, and cultural traditions, revealing the unique
characteristics that set Sparta apart from other Greek city-states such as Athens.
Chapter 4 of this article examines the contrasting social structures of Athens and
Sparta, highlighting their different approaches to education, governance, and
everyday life. Athenian society operated under a democratic government in which
male citizens participated in an assembly to debate and vote on issues, even to the
exclusion of their fellow citizens. The goal of the Athenian education system is to
SUMMARY CHAPTERS 1-4
BLANCA MENDOZA
602