How were the cultures of the city-states of Athens and Sparta similar and different?
One of the ways they are similar is that both of their governments were run by officials elected by the people, but Sparta had two kings who ruled until they died, Athenians' officials were elected annually. Athenians and Spartans both thought of women as almost useless in every field of activity except house keeping and raising children, this is something that most countries at the time had also agreed with, but look down upon in modern day. They both have the same focuses in their military, they did their best to keep their military up to date, and strengthen their land units the most for Greece's enemies did not have the strongest Navies, but focused on massing up their land units, so it would be easier to over run an entire army, so they hardly even bothered with it. In conclusion in most fields Spartans and and Athenians were very similar, but at the same time very different.
Why is Athens considered the birthplace of democracy?
Because the Athenian philosopher Socretes formed the first human ethics which then created a foundation for what Athenians thought was courage, friendship, love, ect. Socrates then made the Athenian ethical laws, these laws later formed democracy.
How did Pericles contribute to the city-states Athens?
Lets start simply by saying who Pericles is, Pericles was an Athenian statesman, and General, he led the Athenians into battle during the Peloponnesian, and Persian wars. During these years it was known to Greeks as the golden ages, for Pericles had improved their lives incredibly by freeing them form the threat of Peloponnesians and Persians. Pericles' impact on Athens was incredible, do to his popularity he was able to easily promote literature, and fine arts in Athens. This then nearly doubled the cities' income.
Who were the Greek philosophers. What contributions did they make?
Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle are only 3 of the original 19 philosophers of Greece, but their the ones that stood out and made the most impact. Socrates unlike his teacher, was interested in ethics (what is exceptional for a person to do). He founded the ethical laws of Athens, which then affected all of Greece. Plato established the idea that there was a link between every living thing thing, an example is that remembering something is your soul recognizing the other things soul. He also established that homosexuality was unacceptable in Greece. Aristrotle was a biologist, who founded a school of his own, though he is most known for being the teacher of Alexander the Great (see more on Alexander the Great under Historical Developments). Most of Aristrotles' writings of what he has discovered are lost, though some notes have been found and it seems he had discovered something very new to modern day science but historians are unsure.
What is Athens?
Athens is one of Greece's most technological advanced cities, Athens was also the home to most of Greece's philosophers. Athens was also named after the Greek god Athena.
Works cited
http://easybib.com/key/5558a9