Sparta or Athens?

[juliekim]

In class we talked about whether we would want to be a Spartan or an Athenian. Most of the girls said they wanted to live in Sparta, including myself. And most of the guys said that they wanted to live in Athens because of the freedom they would enjoy. I feel like we didn't have much time to explain our reasons though.

So what are your reasons for wanting to live in Sparta/Athens?

I said I wanted to live in Sparta because I wouldn't have to fight anyways. Even though I could still find ways to live freely in Athens as a high-class prostitute thingy(?) I would rather live in Sparta, where every woman around me is living similar lives as me. I think it'd be rather nice not to have people to boss me around.

[RegXD]

well ... Sparta or Athens. i guess i would choose Athens although there would be a downfall of it which is obeying the law. But i would be rich and can pay them not to fine or arrest me. which is a good and money is the number 1 priority for everyone. since right now we are living in a society that needed those things.

[sammy576]

I'd prefer to live in Athens because I value culture more than military. Sure, being a soldier and an elite warrior may sound cool; however, thinking about myself being a citizen in one of those cities is hard. Athens seems to advocate democracy and free culture, so as a citizen I would prefer to reside in Athens. I would not like to live my life in fear under the rule of Sparta.

[sojounggg]

I would like to live in Spartan than in Athens. Only or the reason that women are treated better in Spart aaathan in Athens. No women would like to live where they are treated like slaves and especially in Athen, I heared that women are treated inferior than men wheras in Sparta, since men have to go out for military, women have more rights.

[jessicak016]

I think I rather would live in Sparta than in Athen. In Sparta, women were treated much more fairly than women from Athen. In Athen, even though culture is valued a lot more than in Sparta and a lot art and literature is developed there, living as women would be very boring and I would not be very happy living there.

[jessicashim2013]

I would definately choose Sparta. It would be sad to send my son to the military for years, but I want some rights rather than living like a slave in Athen. Women can be educated, and have their own business since men are in the military. The possibility of being in the high class society in Athen in low so I don't want to live there.

[michellelee]

I would want to live in Sparta than in Athen. In Sparta I would have a better chance to enjoy my life as a woman. I don't want to be treated like a slave but rather want to live a life in which I can have my freedom. Even though it seems kind of boring to be alone at home everyday while the husband is out in the military, if you consider the positive aspect of this, I will have the freedom to do my own work and have a hobby and not be disturbed.

[anica]

I would rather cnoose to live in Athens due to this direct democracy rule. The citizens of Athens would be able to vote, and take part in the government, in which they wouldn't elect the representatives to make decisions for them. Basically, public opinion was the main thing.

[ginayang]

I want to live in Sparta rather than Athens because I would have more rights. Spartan women could do anything a man could do. They learned how to read and write, could own property, and train for athletics. On the other hand, Athenian women were considered barely better than slaves. They could only stay at home like a prisoner. I don't want to live like that.

[julielu]

Both of Sparta and Athens were having less women freedom. Even if I live in the democratic Athens , I can't vote and have the same rights as men. Also, Athens women can't inherit any of the legacy, only their sons can. Otherwise, Sparta women can inherit 40 percent of the legacy.

[seongrae]

I would choose to live in Athens rather than in Sparta. It was cool and awesome when I watched 300, but if I imagine living in Sparta as a soldier always going out for a war, I might not enjoy my life. Also in the movie, there might be soldiers (not shown) do not want to fight in the war too. Therefore, for my life, I would choose to live in Athens enjoying my freedom.

[franicaza95]

i agree with you, one if the main reasons that i would want to live in Sparta would be because of the equality and power that women have. Also the fact that we hve more equality, makes women seem more in control. We discussed in class how spartan women had a higher chance of being busionees women or leaders becasue the men were never in the cuty and always had to be prepraring for battles.

[elijahlee]

I think I would like to live in Athens. I don't think I would like to just fight until I'm way too old to be actually holding a sword. I don't think I would like the Spartan lifestyle either. "Spartan" even came to mean a "very simple lifestyle" (Merriam-Webster), and that's not the sort of lifestyle I want to lead.

[edward08]

i would like to live in then because unlike sparta, athens is les strict in millitary wise. and sparta in full on militry. all boys in sparta have to be in the military from 7 years old to 30 years, plus u r not aloowed to be married before you hve ended your 30 years

[stormy44]

Sparta sounds more appealing to me. I usually like to control people rather than to listen to someone, so I would enjoy my life as a Spartan. The only problem though is that I would miss my husband who's fighting outside the country for almost a decade. Waiting for him would be very sad especially if there's a good chance that he's gonna return dead.