Athens or Sparta
Aristotle:
On the Lacedaemonian Constitution, c. 340 BCE
Spartan Classes
The Constitution : The Lacedaemonian is made up of oligarchy, monarchy, and democracy, the king forming the monarchy, and the council of elders the oligarchy while the democratic element is represented by the Ephors; for the Ephors are selected from the people.
Perioeci- known as Civilians
Helots- which were the state-owned serfs who made up 90 percent of the population. They were citizens of conquered states, such as Messina during the First Messianic War.
The Ephors- were chosen by popular election from the whole body of citizens, and with the aid of the two kings represented the executive branch of the state.
The Gerousia- a council consisting of 28 elders over the age of 60, High state policy decisions were discussed by this council who could then propose action alternatives to the Damos.
Spartiates- were the males of Sparta known to the Spartans as "peers" or "men of equal status". From a young age, male Spartiates were trained for battle and put through gruelling challenges intended to craft them into fearless warriors. In battle, they had the reputation of being the best soldiers in Greece, and the strength of Sparta's hoplite forces let the city become the dominant state in Greece throughout much of the Classical period.
There is a tradition that, in the days of their ancient kings, they were in the habit of giving the rights of citizenship to strangers, and therefore, in spite of their long wars, no lack of population was experienced by them; indeed, at one time Sparta is said to have numbered not less than 10,000 citizens Whether this statement is true or not, it would certainly have been better to have maintained their numbers by the equalization of property. Again, the law which relates to the procreation of children is adverse to the correction of this inequality. For the legislator, wanting to have as many Spartans as he could, encouraged the citizens to have large families; and there is a law at Sparta that the father of three sons shall be exempt from military service, and he who has four from all the burdens of the state. Yet it is obvious that, if there were many children, the land being distributed as it is, many of them must necessarily fall into poverty
Error in Population and Property
Life for men
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Spartan boys left their families at 7 to be trained to become part of the full-time professional army.
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Had very strict education and training.
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Boys were not well fed and punished if caught stealing food.
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Boys were encouraged to fight each other but not in anger.
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Cowardice was seen almost as a crime.
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Spartan education put emphasis on physical fitness.
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Boys were taken to the sanctuary of Artemis Orthia to be flogged to show their toughness and endurance.
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The training of males was divided into age groups and called the agôgê (upbringing):
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Boys 7- 17 learned reading, writing, dancing and singing; also tough physical education
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Older boys, 18-19, trained for the army and in survival techniques.
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Youths, 20-29, underwent rigorous military training as part of the standing army.
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Young adults, 30+, were full citizens and expected to marry.
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A man had to remain in his barracks until he was 30 and if he married (could marry from the age of 20) he had to visit his wife in secrecy.
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All adult men belonged to 'messes'- small groups that met and dined together and were housed in individual 'men's houses'.
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All citizens were hoplites.
Life for women
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Women received an education and physical training.
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Physical training made them fit and strong so they would have healthy babies (to become good soldiers).
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Physical training probably focused on gymnastics, choral song and dance.
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Xenophon says that the legendary law-giver Lycurgus thought wool-working and the related sedentary life found in other states were best left to slave women: the activity was traditionally disdained by Spartan women.
