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what was the religion of athens and sparta

by Scotty Osinski Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

The primary base for religious practice in Athens and Sparta is strikingly the same. Both regions had been polytheistic, meaning that they believed in more than one god. Today, this particular religious practice is called Greek Mythology.

Did Athens and Sparta share the same religion?

One thing Athenians and Spartans had in common was that they share the same religion. They have the same belief in God as well as having the same myths. It was a polytheistic religion that was shared by all the city-states of Ancient Greece. This religion contained many gods all lead by Zeus. They believed that the gods or a god would take care of them during their time of death.

Do Athens and Sparta hate each other?

So, why did Athens and Sparta hate each other so much? Part of the reason for the rift between Athens and Sparta was that they were technically two different cultures. The Athenians were part of a group known as the Ionian Greeks whereas the Spartans were Dorians. The names come from the dialect of Greek they spoke.

What are the main differences between Athens and Sparta?

What Are the Differences Between Athens and Sparta?

  • Differing Climates. Though Athens and Sparta were located in the same country of Greece, the two were far enough apart to exhibit slightly different climates.
  • Lifestyle Differences. The people of Athens (considered very modern in their outlook) encouraged a good education, especially in the arts and science.
  • Government Differences. ...
  • Military Differences. ...

How did Sparta compare to Athens?

Sparta and Athens had similar forms of government; both city states were in part governed by elected assemblies. However, the top rulers of Athens were elected, while Sparta's were not. Athens was fundamentally a democracy; Sparta was an oligarchy. Both Sparta and Athens were militarily strong, though in different ways.

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What was the Spartan religion?

SpartaLacedaemon Λακεδαίμων (Ancient Greek)Common languagesDoric GreekReligionGreek polytheismGovernmentDiarchyKing18 more rows

What type of religion did Athens have?

Ancient Greek theology was polytheistic, based on the assumption that there were many gods and goddesses, as well as a range of lesser supernatural beings of various types. There was a hierarchy of deities, with Zeus, the king of the gods, having a level of control over all the others, although he was not almighty.

What God did Sparta worship?

Although Athena was the patron goddess of the city of Sparta, the worship of Artemis at the sanctuary of Orthia was of particular importance in Spartan life.

What were the beliefs in Sparta?

The Spartans believed in the existence of supernatural beings, that is in gods and heroes, who intervened in human affairs. Sacred space was enhanced and enlarged as Sparta grew in power and prosperity.

Was Athens really religious?

For old Greek city-states like Athens, religion was almost indissolubly tied up with their local deities, shrines, and cult practices and was almost without exception limited to their citizens and members of their households.

What was Greek religion called?

Hellenism (Ἑλληνισμός) in a religious context refers to the modern pluralistic religion practiced in Greece and around the world by several communities derived from the beliefs, mythology and rituals from antiquity through and up to today.

Did Spartans worship Ares or Athena?

Athena occupied a special position in Spartan society as guardian of the city. She was known as Athena Khalkioikos, or Athena of the Bronze House, because of her bronze-plated temple on the Spartan acropolis.

What did the Athens believe in?

Athens did not have a king, it was ruled by the people as a democracy. The people of Athens believed that no one group of people should make the laws and so citizens could choose the government officials, and vote for or against new laws. The people of Athens chose their ruler.

What gods did Athenians worship?

They are ​commonly considered to be Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Hermes and either Hestia, or Dionyssos. The concept of the "Twelve Gods" is older than any extant Greek or Roman sources.

Why was Sparta's religion important?

At an individual level religion provided a way of ensuring fertility both human and natural as well as averting disaster and ensuring victory in war. Our sources stem largely from non Spartan writers such as Xenophon, Plutarch as well as Pausanius.

Did Spartans throw babies off cliffs?

Spartans had to prove their fitness even as infants. The ancient historian Plutarch claimed these “ill-born” Spartan babies were tossed into a chasm at the foot of Mount Taygetus, but most historians now dismiss this as a myth.

What was the main religion in ancient Greece?

Ancient Greek religion was a polytheistic religion without a book, church, creed, or a professional priestly class.

What gods did the Spartans worship?

Here are some of the gods and goddesses worshiped by the Spartans, along with what their worship reveals about Sparta: Artemis Orthia was worshiped at her temple sanctuary. She was the birth goddess, which points to Spartan recognition of the female role in society and in sustaining life.

Why did the Spartans worship the gods?

This was common practice across Greece due to fear that if gods or goddesses were overlooked, they might retaliate fiercely, and the fact that the plethora of gods and goddesses had disparate functions and specialties (god of the sea, goddess of war, etc.). Here are some of the gods and goddesses worshiped by the Spartans, along with what their worship reveals about Sparta:

Why was Apollo worshiped?

Apollo was worshiped due to his military prowess and the fact that he was known as a light bringer and preserver of life. Several other gods and goddesses were worshiped as well, including Aphrodite, the Dioscuri (Castor and Pollux, the Gemini twins), and Athena.

Why was Poseidon important to Greek mythology?

Poseidon was an important figure of worship because he was recognized in Greek mythology as the bringer of earthquakes. Sparta was ringed by mountains and not far from the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas, both of which held real concern for the people of Sparta.

What was the name of the Spartan festival dedicated to Apollo?

The most important Spartan festival, Hyakinthia, was a complex festival dedicated to Apollo. It was named in memory of a past lover of Apollo, Hyakinthos, and praised Apollo for life and light.

What was the unusual feature of Sparta?

One unusual feature of Spartan religion was the worship of the spirits of Laughter and Fear. The worship of Fear specifically was likely due to the Spartan fear of dishonor, for to die in a cowardly or dishonorable was was not only an embarrassment to Sparta but an affront to the gods.

What is the death of a Spartan?

To die in battle was considered the most honorable way for a Spartan soldier to leave this plane of existence. If a Spartan turned from this duty, he was considered a traitor and executed.

What was the relationship between Sparta and Athens?

Interaction with other Greek states. Sparta was content to keep to itself and provided army and assistance when necessary to other states. Athens, on the other hand, wanted to control more and more of the land around them. This eventually led to war between all the Greeks.

What is the significance of Sparta and Athens?

It is a center for economic, political, financial and culture life in Greece. Athens is the symbol of freedom, art, and democracy in the conscience of the civilized world.

What was the difference between Sparta and Athenian government?

The Athenian form of electing a government was called Limited Democracy while the Spartan form was called oligarchy " (rule by a few), but it had elements of monarchy (rule by kings), democracy (through the election of council/senators), and aristocracy (rule by the upper class or land owning class). Sparta has had two rulers in recent times, who ruled until they died. On the other hand, the ruler of Athens is elected annually. Athens is said to have been the birthplace of democracy.

Why did Sparta become the protector of the Greeks?

That is why it considered itself as the protector of the Greek. On the other hand, Athens wanted to take control of more and more land in Greece. This idea eventually led to war between the Greeks.

Why was Sparta an agricultural land?

Sparta was mainly an agricultural land because of its inland location. The most important imports were metals. In Sparta, men were mainly warriors; others were slaves. Their economy was mainly based on agriculture. Athens economy was dependent more upon trade. Athens became the foremost trading power of the Mediterranean by the 5th century BC.

How many rulers did Sparta have?

Sparta has had two rulers in recent times, who ruled until they died. On the other hand, the ruler of Athens is elected annually. Athens is said to have been the birthplace of democracy. Sparta was an “Oligarchy”. The Ancient Greek “oligos” translates to “few”, while “archia” means “rule” – ‘rule by the few’.

What was the climate of Athens and Sparta?

Climate. Athens had a Mediterranean climate with great amount of precipitation, whereas Sparta had fairly temperate but very dry climate. Due to soil erosion and less vegetation, water was a very scanty commodity in Sparta.

What were the differences between Sparta and Athens?

Sparta and Athens were arch enemies. They had numerous differences. For example, Sparta was harsh and a military based city-state. In comparison, Athens emphasis in their city-state was education and the arts. In addition, the two city-states also had different values.

What are the similarities between Athens and Sparta?

The two city-states also had some similarities. For one thing, they were both Greek city-states. In addition, they had powerful governments from which they excluded women, slaves, and non-Greeks from. They also spoke the same language and followed the same religion. Athens and Sparta also both kept slaves.

What are the two cities in Ancient Greece?

This map shows the locations of the two city-states Athens and Sparta in Ancient Greece. There were many city-states in Ancient Greece. A Greek polis was normally built around a fortress or citadel that would be on a acropolis. Soon city-states built other colonies that became their own polis. Athens was one of the most important ...

Why did Spartans train girls?

Girls were also trained in physical activities because Spartans believed that strong women give birth to strong warriors. ATHENS vs SPARTA: Differences.

What was the city-state of Argo?

The city-state also created a public works program which provided jobs. ARGO. Argo was a neighboring city-state to Corinth, on a plain in the coastline. Its people were educated in the arts and the sciences, and trained for both peace or war. Because of its unfertile soil, it was hard to grow food.

Where was Sparta located?

The city-state and its surrounding territory were located on the Peloponnese, a peninsula located southwest of Athens. Sparta was the greatest military power in the Greek city-states. Spartans lived in harsh conditions without luxuries. These brutal conditions were intended to make them tough fighters.

Was Athens a city state?

Athens was not a city-state for war. In contrast, it valued philosophy, equality, and the arts. As an Athenian, one would have freedom and receive a proper education. It was also the first city-state in Greece to fully develop a democracy. The city was also a great centre for art and literature. SPARTA.

What were the beliefs of Sparta?

Religion and Beliefs in Sparta. Greek Mythology and Gods were a big part of Spartan society. Like the majority of Greek city-states Spartans were polytheism; they believed in more than one god. The primary gods at this time were the Olympians lead by the mighty Zeus.

What are some examples of Spartan legends?

These were Ares and Apollo. This was of course due to their warfare focus. One example of a Spartan legend was of the Calydonian Boar.The Caly donian Boar is one of the creatures of Greek mythology that had to be overcome by heroes of the Olympian era.

What are the similarities between Sparta and Athens?

Similarities Between Athens and Sparta 1 Athens and Sparta are two prominent Greek city-states in classical antiquity. 2 Both states used many slaves. In fact, it is said that each state had about a hundred thousand salves. 3 These two states had powerful military forces. 4 Both states had their own government system that had ensured the welfare of their citizens. 5 Athens and Sparta possessed stable economies when compared to other regions.

What is the significance of Athens?

Figure 1: The Parthenon. Ancient Athens was the centre for the arts, philosophy, and learning. Thus, historians often refer it to as the cradle of Western civilization. It is also the home of Plato’s Academy and Aristotle’s Lyceum. Historians consider Athens to be the birthplace of democracy.

What was the golden era of Athens?

The city of Athens reached its golden era under the leadership of Pericles (461 to 429 BC). So, this is also called the Age of Pericles. Figure 2: Map of Ancient Athens. The Agora, which was a large open area for meetings, was the centre of commerce and government in Athens.

What is the name of the city in Greece?

What is Athens. Athens was one of the largest and most influential city-states of Greece. The city got its name after Athena, the Goddess of warfare and wisdom. The Parthenon, the temple built for Athena, sits on top of a hill in the centre of the city.

Why was the Acropolis built?

The famous Acropolis is also located in the middle of the city of Athens. It was built as a fortress where people could retreat to when the city is attacked. Later, many temples and buildings were also built there.

Where is Sparta located?

Sparta is also a major city-state in ancient Greece. The city-state was actually known as Lacedaemon, while the name Sparta itself referred to the main settlement on the banks of the Eurotas River in Laconia, in south-eastern Peloponnese. However, today, we use the name Sparta to refer to the city-state. Sparta was a warrior society; society was ...

Did Sparta women have freedom?

Moreover, Spartan women had more rights and freedom compared to women in other Greek states. Figure 4: Spartan Governing System.

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Both Athens and Sparta hold historic value for Greece and the world. Athens is the capital and the largest city of Greece. It is a center for economic, political, financial and culture life in Greece. Athens is the symbol of freedom, art, and democracy in the conscience of the civilized world. Athens took its name from the goddess Ath…
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History

  • Athens has been continuously inhabited for at least 3,000 years, becoming the leading city of ancient Greece in the first millennium BCE; its cultural achievements during the 5th century BCE laid the foundations of western civilization. During the Middle Ages, the city experienced decline and then recovery under the Byzantine Empire, and was relatively prosperous during the Crusade…
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Beliefs and Culture

  • Athens and Sparta differed in their ideas of getting along with the rest of the Greek empires. Sparta seemed to be content with themselves and provided their army whenever required. That is why it considered itself as the protector of the Greek. On the other hand, Athens wanted to take control of more and more land in Greece. This idea eventually l...
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Government in Ancient Athens and Sparta

  • The Athenian form of electing a government was a limited democracy. Athens was perhaps the earliest democracy, which means “rule by the people” – “demos” (people, or the masses) and “kratis” (rule). Every year, 5,000-6,000 men were narrowed down to a group of 500, who would then be divided into groups of 50. Each would take charge for about a month, and ten generals were a…
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Lifestyle

  • Compared to the simple lifestyle of the Spartan people, Athenians had a very modern and open outlook. Unlike Sparta, in Athens, boys were not forced to join the army. As an Athenian, one could get a good education and could pursue several kinds of arts and sciences. Sparta people were not open to education and they only concentrated on military strength and obedience and they didn'…
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Interaction with Other Greek States

  • Sparta was content to keep to itself and provided army and assistance when necessary to other states. Athens, on the other hand, wanted to control more and more of the land around them. This eventually led to war between all the Greeks.
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Climate

  • Athens had a Mediterranean climate with great amount of precipitation, whereas Sparta had fairly temperate but very dry climate. Due to soil erosionand less vegetation, water was a very scanty commodity in Sparta.
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Women of Athens and Sparta

  • Family ties in Athens were stronger and women were legally the dependents of their husbands or their father. They could own no property apart from the family. In Sparta, women had rights that other Greek women did not have. In Sparta women were stronger and they formed liaisons with men as they chose. They could also own property by themselves. In Athens women did chores s…
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War Between Athens and Sparta

  • Athens and Sparta were two rival city-states, while the latter had very well trained military and soldiers, the former boasted of a good navy. Athens and its allies, known as the Delian League, came into conflict with the Spartans and the Peloponnesian league, and in 431 BC a war broke out between the two cities - a war based on trade routes, rivalries, and tributes paid by smaller depe…
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Economy

  • Sparta was mainly an agricultural land because of its inland location. The most important imports were metals. In Sparta, men were mainly warriors; others were slaves. Their economy was mainly based on agriculture. Athens economy was dependent more upon trade. Athens became the foremost trading power of the Mediterraneanby the 5th century BC.
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