Athens and Sparta were the two major city-states during the ancient Greece time period. These two city-states were very different from each other in many ways. One reason for this was because the city-states were separated from each other by low rugged mountains. This made travel and communication difficult. The main difference between the two city-states was in their government. The Athenian government had a democracy, while the Spartan government had a military aristocracy. The two governments differed in many ways. These differences can be put into three main categories: ideas, values, and institutions. Each of these will be explained thoroughly in this essay.
             The first category that will be compared and contrasted comprises as institutions. In Sparta, the military was very important in their lives. Sparta took boys from their homes at the age of seven and put them in military barracks. They stayed there and were involved in military activities until they were 60. At that time, they were allowed to retire from the military. The women were also influenced by the military. They ate healthy, trained in athletics, and were told to have children at a later age so the babies would most likely be strong and healthy. Because of this military training, Sparta usually had the best athletes at the Olympic games. The Spartan government included an aristocracy. It was ruled by two kings. They led religious ceremonies and the military. The government structure included an Assembly, the Ephors, and a Council of Elders. An Assembly passed laws and made decisions concerning war and peace. The Ephors administered public affairs. The Council of Elders proposed laws to the assembly and served as a supreme court to mediate justice. Athens, on the other hand, had differing institutions. Education was a priority to Athens. They expected each citizen to hold public office at some time in his life after attending school from age 7-18. Athenians, being hi...