How did the political social and economic institutions of Athens and Sparta compare around 500 BCE?

Answer:
Athens became a democracy, with its Assembly (every citizen (at least 6,000)could go there and approve or reject the proposals made by the Council (chosen for a year , appr. 500 members). The Council made new laws and decisions, which were discussed in the Assembly. There were 9 archons and 10 strategoi.
In Sparta the citizens were so frightened that the Helots would attack them, that they spent almost all their lives by training. That is every citizen was a soldier. They wanted to avoid jealousy and envy by forbidding luxury, nice clothes, jewellery and even their money was made of iron. They had two kings, who led the army. A Council of men (who were older than 60) decided Sparta's polices and made laws. There was also an Assembly which voted by shouting 'Yes' or 'No'.
Education:
Athens - boys started school at the age of 7. There were three schools. In the first, boys learnt reading, writing, and arithmetic. In the second, music and poetry. In the third, dancing and athletics. There was no higher education but they could learn a lot from the philosophers who often went to the gimnasia and talked to pupils who were interested.
Sparta: Scholing concentrated on physical fittness. THe subjects were athletics, weapon training and dancing. They also learnt patriotic songs, law music and poetry. Boys were trained and educated in harsh conditions When they were seven they were sent to live in barracks. Girls had to be fit too. They were taught gymnastics, music, dancing and singing.
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