“ When it is a question of settling disputes, everyone is equal before the law “
The law requires the establishment of justice regardless of the social status of the persons involved. All individuals are to be treated equal, and judgment must be based on facts.
“ When it is a question of placing one person before another in the positions of public responsibility what counts is not membership of a particular class but the actual ability which the man possesses “
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
All individuals have a right to ascend to leadership position despite their social status. The abilities possessed by a person is the only determinant of who should enter into leadership positions.
“ We do not get into a state with our next door neighbor if he enjoys himself in his own way nor do we give him the kind of black looks which though they do not really harm still do hurt people’s feelings.”
The Athens grant individuals with the freedom to privately enjoy themselves as they please provided they do not cause harm to others. During such times individuals are protected by law and are not to be questioned or hurt.
Sparta
“ To the end, therefore, that he might expel from the state arrogance and envy, luxury and crime and those yet more inveterate diseases of want and superfluity he obtained of them to renounce their properties and consent to a new division of the land and that they should live all together on an equal footing; merit be their only road to eminence and the disgrace of evil and credit of worthy acts the only measure of difference between man and man … “
All members of society are considered equal and have the right to serve in leadership positions despite their social status. The abilities possessed by individuals are the only consideration to be used as a means of placing individuals in leadership positions.
“ The third and most masterly of stroke of the great lawgiver, by which he struck a yet more effectual blow against luxury and the desire for riches, was the ordinance he made, that they should all eat in common, of the same bread, and same meat, and of kinds that were specified, and should not spend their lives at home, laid on costly couches at splendid tables, delivering themselves up into the hands of their tradesmen and cooks, to fatten them in corners, like greedy brutes, and to ruin not their minds only but their very bodies, which , enfeebled by indulgence and excess, would stand in need of long sleep warm bathing, freedom from work and in a word, of as much care and attendance as if they were continually sick.”
The King is mandated with the role of ensuring that the rich individuals in the society are not involved in exploitation or skip work to enjoy their wealth. All the persons in society are expected to work hard despite their social class.
“ Nor was it lawful, indeed, for the father himself to breed up children after his own fancy; but as soon as they were seven years old they were to be enrolled in certain companies and classes, where they all lived under the same order and discipline, doing their exercises and taking their play together. “
The law prevents parents from raising up children as they wish but rather requires that children be brought up together in groups under common leadership, performing and following common values to create unity among the society.
Identify three beliefs or values that Athenians and Spartans held in common
Both Athens and Sparta uphold the virtue of equality. All members of the society are deemed equal, and any selection for a leadership position is based on the abilities of an individual but not the social class.
Courage and loyalty portrayed by warriors in protecting their freedom and land are highly valued. Acts of courage in times of war are extolled in both societies. The courageous men among Sparta are extolled by women in solemn feasts led by the King while Athens consider death during wars as a noble death that protects their freedom.
Although wealth among Athens comes with honor as opposed to the Sparta where wealth is not valued, both believe that wealth should not be used as a show-off. Among Sparta, the rich are put in the same dining table as the poor among the Athens wealth is to be properly used and should not be used as a tool to boast. Great reverence is made to the individuals who are elected to leadership positions.
