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Believing in the importance of the balance between mind and body, the lives of the ancient Greeks revolved around the attainment of a clear understanding of two core concepts which were inscribed on the sanctuary at Delphi. They were "Know Thyself" and "Nothing in Excess". Ideas, debate, and the study of wisdom were all highly esteemed. Ancient Greece was a cluster of small city states, called poli; rather than, one nation. The independent poli were isolated from one another either because they were situated on islands or because they were separated from each other by craggy mountain barriers. Sharing a common language and the democratic ideal of people governing themselves instead of submitting to the rule of a king, the city states formed alliance leagues for protection and survival. Athens and Sparta were the most noteworthy of these city states. The poli of Athens was named after the goddess of wisdom Athena, the patroness of the city. The Athenians lived in a polis located on the southeast mainland of Greece where the arts, music, reading, and writing were esteemed.
Athens was a cultural and
intellectual center that also won renown as one of the first city-states or
polis. They established a limited form of democratic government, creating
rule by the people rather than by a king. Athenian, participatory democracy
became an administrative template that was employed by other governments.
Only adult male citizens (one sixteenth of the populous) had the right to vote at the monthly assembly where affairs of state were discussed and polis governing decisions were made. Leaders were chosen by lot. Elected officials served for one year and then came before the assembly to give an accounting of their efforts in behalf of the polis. The striving for individual excellence in all directions (within lawful parameters) was the cornerstone of Grecian society. It was the methodology used by the Greeks to reach pinnacles of achievement in drama, philosophy, pottery, and the arts; as well as, athletics and soldiering. The city state of Sparta was located at the southern end of the peninsula in a hilly, rocky area. As a Greek polis, the Spartans were extremely one pointed in their pursuit of a disciplined military life. Valuing valor and strength in combat over anything else, the men and women participated regularly in athletic contests. Their laws prohibited travel and demanded total loyalty to the polis.
Insular, inhospitable, and
aloof conquerors, they were outnumbered by their slaves and needed to maintain a
constant vigilance. Soldiers left their homes when they were just seven years
old to begin their military training. Even married Spartan men continued to live
and train together until they were around the age of thirty.
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