Sparta en Athene: ’n studie in altérité
Date
2007-03
Authors
Murray, G.N.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
The main purpose of this study is to investigate and describe the differences
between the fifth-century city states of Athens and Sparta. The approach I use
is that of altérité (“otherness”). I look in particular at four of the most
important social phenomena: women, slaves, the army and the political
structures. In these respects there are extensive differences between the two
city states: Athens acquired its slaves through buying them or as spoils of war
over time and on an individual basis; Sparta conquered and enslaved a whole
nation, the Messenians, early on to serve permanently as their slaves.
Athenian women enjoyed no social or legal freedom or rights; Spartan women
enjoyed all these rights and could own and inherit property and goods. In
Athens, since the time of Themistocles the fleet was regarded as much more
important than the infantry; Sparta had very early on developed a professional
infantry which was regarded as the best right through the Greek-speaking
world. Athens started changing its constitution at a relatively late stage, but
once started, continued to work on it until they attained an early form of
democracy; Sparta never developed beyond the monarchical stage, but did
adapt it to suit their needs.
The second purpose of this study is to discover and attempt to explain why the
above-mentioned differences are so great. The point here is not so much that
Athens was the model city state which everybody tried to emulate, but rather
that Sparta was the city state which was significantly different from any of the
others.
Description
Thesis (MPhil (Ancient Studies)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007.
Keywords
Slaves -- Greece -- Sparta (Extinct city) -- History, Slaves -- Greece-- Athens -- History, Armies -- Greece -- Sparta (Extinct city) -- History, Armies -- Greece -- Athens --History, Sparta (Extinct city)-- Politics and government, Athens (Greece)-- Politics and government