Page 15 - Reading Success B8

Ancient Greece is among the most influential civilizations in history. Unlike other
powerful empires, Greece was not ruled by one king or queen. Instead, it was divided into
several city-states, each with its own political unit, laws and customs. Athens and Sparta

are two of the best known city-states of ancient Greece, whose influence can still be seen
today, particularly in education.

While both Athens and Sparta believed in the importance of education, they had

entirely different reasons and methods in doing so. In ancient Athens, the primary
purpose of education was to produce citizens who are trained in the arts and are
prepared for both peace and war. Boys were first taught at home by their mother or a
male slave until age 6 or 7. From age 6 to 14, boys from affluent families were then sent
to a nearby primary school or private school where they learned about the words of the

Greek epic poet, Homer and how to play the lyre. They were also taught drama, art, math,
public speaking, government, reading, writing, and playing the flute. When they turned 18,
they were sent to a military school where they were trained for two years. Boys from

ordinary families, in most cases, could not afford to go to school. At an early age, they
were taught skills they would need to make a living. Girls were not allowed to go to
school, but many from rich families became literate through private tutors.

Sparta, on the other hand, viewed education as the means to produce the strongest
warriors for an impenetrable army. To ensure perfection among all Spartans, infants were
inspected at birth and those with signs of weakness were abandoned or taken away to be
slaves. Spartan boys at age 6 or 7 were sent to a military school where they were trained
for combat and survival. They were starved, forced to march barefoot, and punished with

severe beating to make them fearless. Girls were also made to go to school at age 6 or 7
where wrestling, gymnastics and combat skills were taught in line with the Spartans’ belief
that strong women would produce strong babies. Unlike Athens and other Greek city-

states where women spent most of their lives inside their homes, citizen women in Sparta
were free to move around , as their husbands lived at the barracks and not at home.

Main Idea

What is the main idea of this story?

a. how the ancient Greek methods of education of influenced modern education

b. the superiority of the Athenian system of education
c. the superiority of the Spartan system of education
d. the differences in the Athenian and the Spartan systems of education

18_Reading Success B 8