Athens%20and%20Sparta

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Athens and Sparta

• Two cities in conflict

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I. A Spartan Life

• Spartan boys were raised to endure pain and learn
  to survive with very little food
• Life was harsh and cruel
• The Spartans were tough, silent and grim
• Because of many wars, Sparta turned into an
  awesome war machine
• Spartas motto was Always put your citys needs
  above your own.

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II. Growing Up in Sparta

• Only the healthiest children were raised
• At age 7, boys left their mothers to live in
  barracks with other boys to train as soldiers
• Training lasted for 13 years

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III. Girls in Sparta

• Girls also trained and competed in wrestling and
  spear throwing
• Strong girls would produce strong children it was
  believed
• Women were allowed to own land and take part in
  business

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IV. The Persians Invade

• By 520 B.C. the Persians controlled the Greek
  colonies on the west coast of Asia Minor
• In 490 B.C. thousands of Persians gathered at
  Marathon to face a small Athenian army
• For several days both armies stared intensely at
  each other
• Athenians rushed without warning and defeated the
  Persians killing 6,400 and losing only 192 of
  their own soldiers

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V. The Athenian Empire

• After the Persians were defeated, Athens
  influence spread over much of Greece
• Many city-states allied themselves with Athens
• These city-states gave their allegiance to Athens

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VI. Sparta and Athens at War

• Over time, city-states grew angry at Athens
• Many paid tribute, money, for protection, but
  Athens spent it on the Parthenon and other
  buildings

• Athens and Sparta went to war in 431 B.C.
• The war lasted for 27 years, called the
  Peloponnesian War

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VII. The Fall of Athens

• Early in the war, Athens was struck by a plague
• Over one third of the population died
• Sparta staged a blockade surrounding the harbor
  and Athens could not receive food shipments
• Athens surrendered in 404 B.C.