Athens and Sparta
Today I arrived in Athens as a foreign exchange student from the United States. Although it is only my first day here, I have gathered that it is vastly different from the US. When I got here, the first thing I noticed was the warm, Mediterranean climate. I was then taken to the place that I would be staying. It was a simple three-room hut with not much in it. After putting my stuff away, the family that I was staying with showed me around. I saw that none of the buildings were that elaborate and everyone dressed pretty much the same. I asked my host family about life in Athens. They told me many things. First, they told me of the social grouping in Athens. There are three groups: citizens, Metics, and slaves. In order to be a citizen in Athens, you had to have lived in Athens your entire life, both of your parents had to have been born in Athens, and although women could be citizens, they were not allowed to vote. The Metics, however, were people who were non-Athenians, who were commonly called aliens. They are free to do as they wish, but aren't allowed to participate in the government. The slaves, however, are not free. They are the property of citizens. The masters are not c
The Perioeci, sometimes referred to as neighbors, worked in the trade and industry, but since they were considered citizens, the couldn't be in the military. They were the citizens, the Perioeci, and the Helots. When they turned 20, they became a cadet. The people have a most honorable occupation, which is farming. Since the Spartans were so focused on their military, there were no advancements in the arts, literature, or music, but they did honor three things: beauty, strength, and discipline. When the boys turned twelve, they were taught about poetry and music, even though it didn't seem that important to them. It was a great opportunity and I hope other people will be able to enjoy it as well. I also learned that since Athens didn't have very much arable land, they turned to the sea. The citizen in Sparta could only be male and they owned most of the land. Well, next time I see you I'll be in Sparta!Dear Journal, Here I am in Sparta. One was to control the Helots, since they outnumbered the citizen by a lot, and to extend the power of Sparta. About the only thing women couldn't do was participate in the government. Another part of the Spartan government are the five Ephors. Anyway, I was allowed to visit the military barracks that the boys went to.
Common topics in this essay:
Journal Athens,
Dear Journal,
Journal Sadly,
Perioeci Helots,
Helots Spartan,
Marriage Athenians,
Unlike Athenians,
Sparta It's,
Unlike Athens,
Council Elders,
dear journal,
athens citizens,
life athens,
spartan government,
elected assembly,
leave house,
women rights,
citizens couldn't,
exchange student,
home anyway,
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Acceptance Essays
