Sparta

Sparta was one of the Grecian city states during the late Bronze age. Spartans where very athletic people, both the boys and the girls had different sports to participate in to stay in shape and prepare them for life. The girls had to participate in running, wrestling, and throwing the javelin in order to prepare them for the life of mother hood. The boys were taken from their mothers at the age of seven and then lived a military life. When Spartan children were born, they were determined whether they were strong. If not, then they were left to die on hills or some were in the wilderness.

The life of the Spartans was simple, no luxuries, expensive food or time for leisure like the Athenians. They viewed themselves as the true inheritors of the Greek tradition.The Greek tradition was mainly discipline,simplicity and self denial. The Spartans even refused to annex the lands and people that they conquered, and instead made alliances to ensure their security.

Athens

Athenians were truly different than the Spartans. They lived in luxury, feasting on exotic foods and living in leisure. Unlike the Spartans they did not leave their children to die if they were sickly or not strong. The children lived with their mothers. The boys lived with their mothers till the age of seven then were turned over to a male servant or a pedagogue. They were usually a slave of the house hold, accompanied the child to school and taught him good manners. Also he could punish the child with a birch rod if he misbehaved. The boys were taught to be a well rounded person. He had three teachers one for school studies, one for physical education, and the third taught him music.

The girls stayed with their mothers who taught them the duties of the house and to be a good wife. I would have found it very boring based on all the facts, I mean who wants to stay at home with their mothers all day and lean nothing interesting. To have learn nothing but house hold duties and how to be a "good" wife, I think I'll pass, thank you very much.