Ancient Greece: Athens and Sparta

1 Athens was a busy trading city. Thousands of people lived in Athens, and many foreigners visited to trade and work. Often the skilled craftsmen and artisans who worked in the city were foreigners. There were enslaved people in Athens too. Rich families used enslaved workers to run their households and farms.

In paragraph 1

Why did foreigners come to Athens?

1 Athens was a busy trading city. Thousands of people lived in Athens, and many foreigners visited to trade and work. Often the skilled craftsmen and artisans who worked in the city were foreigners. There were enslaved people in Athens too. Rich families used enslaved workers to run their households and farms.

In paragraph 1

What work did enslaved people do in Athens?

1 Athens was a busy trading city. Thousands of people lived in Athens, and many foreigners visited to trade and work. Often the skilled craftsmen and artisans who worked in the city were foreigners. There were enslaved people in Athens too. Rich families used enslaved workers to run their households and farms.

In paragraph 1

Who are the craftsmen and artisans of Athens?

2 Because the Athenians believed that male citizens should be involved in the government of the city-state, they wanted young men to have a good education. Boys were taught reading, writing, and math, as well as how to play a stringed instrument called a lyre. They learned poetry by heart. They also did a lot of physical exercise and had to do two years of army training. 

In paragraph 2

What was education like for the boys of Athens?

2 Because the Athenians believed that male citizens should be involved in the government of the city-state, they wanted young men to have a good education. Boys were taught reading, writing, and math, as well as how to play a stringed instrument called a lyre. They learned poetry by heart. They also did a lot of physical exercise and had to do two years of army training. 

In paragraph 2

Why did the Athenians want boys to have a good education?

3 Women and girls in ancient Athens did not have many rights. Women could not own property, and they could not attend certain public events. They could not take part in sports either. But women had a role in religious ceremonies, and they were, of course, a very important part of family life. Girls learned the many skills needed to run a home. They also learned to spin thread, weave cloth, and sew.

In paragraph 3

What was life like for women in Athens?

3 Women and girls in ancient Athens did not have many rights. Women could not own property, and they could not attend certain public events. They could not take part in sports either. But women had a role in religious ceremonies, and they were, of course, a very important part of family life. Girls learned the many skills needed to run a home. They also learned to spin thread, weave cloth, and sew.

In paragraph 3

What skills were girls in Athens expected to learn?

3 Women and girls in ancient Athens did not have many rights. Women could not own property, and they could not attend certain public events. They could not take part in sports either. But women had a role in religious ceremonies, and they were, of course, a very important part of family life. Girls learned the many skills needed to run a home. They also learned to spin thread, weave cloth, and sew.

In paragraph 3

What do you think “run a home” means?

1 Sparta was a city-state about one hundred miles southwest of Athens. Unlike Athens, it was not near the sea. Sparta and Athens were, at times, enemies.

In paragraph 1,

Describe where is Sparta.

2 The government of Sparta included two kings, a council of elders, and an Assembly. The kings were in charge of the army. The Spartan Assembly could not discuss problems; its members could only vote yes or no.

In paragraph 2, who are included in the government of Sparta?