Athens or Sparta?

[_Philospher_]

One of the oldest political wars (The Peloponnesian Wars) was fought between the allies/subjects of Athens and the allies of Sparta. For those who do know the details about the war, who would you have fought or supported?

 

[spincrus]

Depends on where my city state would be located. If I were a colony of Athens in Anatolia, I'd support Athens. Same applies with small island cities, even though I'd be a colony of Sparta (or more likely, Corinth).

But I'd most probably go for Sparta. I've done a lot of reading on the Peloponnesian Wars lately, and I've always been a "land" sort of person anyway. I find seafaring/naval states too "snobbish" sometimes.

 

[privatehudson]

I'd probably end up supporting Athens as I like the idea of living there and looking up at the acropolis every day

(assuming I have my dates right that is, the acropolis was built then right?)

 

[Archer 007]

Athens seems more humane then Sparta. Go Athens.

 

[Mongoloid Cow]

Sparta was more humane (to their allies) than Athens. Go Sparta.

PS: Thats a big IIRC BTW.

 

[jeriko one]

Athens wanted to build an empire and Sparta stood in their way. So I support Sparta.

 

[Constantine]

I would support the Athenian ideal of democracy.

 

[Riesstiu IV]

Sparta's society was a bit... harsh. Athens for me!

 

[andrewgprv]

Athens all the way.

 

[Mongoloid Cow]

Originally posted by Constantine
I would support the Athenian ideal of democracy.

Where most of the people aren't allowed to vote (in Athenian Democracy)? Every man to his own I suppose...

 

[pomsa]

In Athens, less than 25% of the population were citizens.

 

[Godwynn]

I'm an Athens type of guy. Onward Athenian Soldier!

 

[casual_moose]

i would probably go for athens because of most of the reasons people already stated

and BTW why didnt you make this a poll

 

[Benderino]

Sparta was cooler, but Athens was better! What Godwynn said!

(The Illinois Hoplites have formed!)

 

[Constantine]

Yeah well it is better than being a Spartan Helot.

 

[_Philospher_]

Not sure why i didn't make this a poll. Oh well. As for me I'm with Athens. True they weren't the best at being fare to their allies or granting citizenship. But Sparta was even worse when it came to diplomacy and brutally supressed those who were not Spartan. So Athens for me!

 

[Patroklos]

While I would be for Athens for most of its history, they were just a little too pomp and conceded at the time of the Peloponnesian War, I am glad they were deflated.

Sparta!

-Pat

 

[luiz]

Life in Sparta was hell. You could get killed for basically anything. Not to mention that they lived without any comfort, the sole purpose of the spartan society was war.
Sure, in Athens only 25% of the population could actually vote, but its still a much better system then the military ruling in Sparta. Furthermore the athenian contribution to philosophy and arts is much bigger.

So go Athens

 

[Patroklos]

But if you were a Sparten you might like that sort of thing. And much of Athenian history is made up of "democratic" dicators.

 

[Xen]

Zeus Soter Kai Nike- Athenai!

Yes most definatley Athens

posted by one of main men, Mongoloid Cow
Where most of the people aren't allowed to vote (in Athenian Democracy)? Every man to his own I suppose...

posted by our welocmed new member, pomsa
In Athens, less than 25% of the population were citizens.

dont you think these points are kind of voided by the fact that, while Athens may have only had 40% (IIRC, I have seen this number in relation to Athens number of citizens several times) of its population has registernd voters, Sparta truelly was an olgiarchy- and dint even abide be the tenates of personal freedome, and democracy...

besides, considering that at least Athens was occupying the moral high ground, with both democracy, and the first great flowering of free thought, and place whos philosiphers were amoung the, if the very, first to suggest that ALL slavery was wrong- imagine then what might have happend, if that had evnetually become the general veiw from the publics eye as well...