Government
The government of Sparta was an oligarchy, where the most important decisions were made by a small group called the Council of Elders. In order to be elected in Sparta, you needed to be 60 years old and must have came from a noble family. The Council of Elders consisted of 2 kings and 28 other men, who were selected by the Assembly. The Assembly was made up of male citizens. This Assembly did not debate issues, they only voted yes or no on laws.
Athens, which was a democracy, had a small group called the Council 500. This was a group of 500 men who ran a day-to-day business and suggested new laws. Athens Assembly, on the other hand, met on a hill every 10 days and must have had at least 6,000 citizens present to allow the meeting to continue. They got to debate on laws, and everyone had the right to speak during the meeting.
Both of the types of government worked out for the cities, because everyone ended up agreeing with what the head of government had to say. Athens government worked very successfully because everyone had a say, and they got a chance to speak freely. Sparta’s, in particular, worked because it was what held all of the power, and they could make whatever decisions they wanted.
Athens, which was a democracy, had a small group called the Council 500. This was a group of 500 men who ran a day-to-day business and suggested new laws. Athens Assembly, on the other hand, met on a hill every 10 days and must have had at least 6,000 citizens present to allow the meeting to continue. They got to debate on laws, and everyone had the right to speak during the meeting.
Both of the types of government worked out for the cities, because everyone ended up agreeing with what the head of government had to say. Athens government worked very successfully because everyone had a say, and they got a chance to speak freely. Sparta’s, in particular, worked because it was what held all of the power, and they could make whatever decisions they wanted.