Athens vs. Sparta
During the times of Ancient Greece, two major forms of government existed, democracy and oligarchy. The city-states of Athens and Sparta are the best representatives of democracy and oligarchy, respectively. The focus of the times was directed towards military capabilities, while the Athenians were more interested in comfort and culture. It was the oligarchy in Sparta that put a war-like attitude as its first priority and best met the needs of Ancient Greece. These factors empowered Sparta and led to the development of an authoritative and potent state. Other contrasting issues included women's rights, social classes, and value of human life. Four rulers, Draco, Solon, Pisistratus, and Cleithenes, greatly influenced the political development of Athens. However, Athenian democracy cannot really be called a true democracy since there were several flaws in the government and the way in which it functioned. Upper class male citizens over the age of thirty were the only Athenians who held any right to vote. The democracy in Athens consisted of an executive, legislative, and judicial branch. Together, nine anchors, a Council of five hundred, an Assembly, and a court chosen by lot governed the city-state with limited power.
Unlike the rest of Greek women, Spartan women had the freedom of equality except for voting rights. Such tasks were for the slaves, the Helots. Because the woman of Sparta exemplified a greater political and authoritative influence, the nation thrived and became a world leader. This kept out foreign ideas and allowed an element of surprise when it came to attacks. It was controlled by an oligarchy in which the power was held by a group of five men called Ephors. All branches of the government were capable of vetoing one another. Spartan girls who survived infancy received a public education. The Spartan Constitution called for all men to begin their military education at the age of seven, where they were trained to be tough and self-sufficient. They were trained in gymnastics and taught patriotism to Sparta. Though owning no property and sharing no privileges with the citizens, the law protected the slaves from being treated brutally. Hitler was the Nazi's central power, while the Spartans were headed by five Ephors. Though the citizens had little say in the decisions made by the government, the system worked effectively. However, this law did not affect their economy, which was already self-sufficient. The unlimited power of the Ephors allowed them to dictate the thoughts and actions of the entire city-state of Sparta, much like Adolph Hitler ruled over his Nazi nation.
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