Thesis
Sparta’s education was structured around its military, whereas Athens’s education was focused on democracy, art, and philosophy.
Annotated Bibliography
Beaumont, Lesley A., et al. Children in Antiquity: Perspectives and Experiences of Childhood in the Ancient Mediterranean. Routledge, 2020.
Lesley Beaumont and her team are esteemed scholars specializing in ancient civilizations, specifically the lives of children. Their work offers an in-depth examination of childhood experiences and the education system in the ancient Mediterranean, encompassing Sparta and Athens. The source provides valuable insight into the distinct educational focuses of Sparta and Athens; therefore, it supports my thesis by illustrating the divergent approaches they took in the past.
Cartledge, Paul, and Anton Powell. The Greek Superpower: Sparta in the Self-Definitions of Athenians. The Classical Press of Wales, 2018.
It is worth noting that Paul Cartledge and Anton Powell are highly respected historians recognized for their expertise in ancient Greek history. The latter author deserves special mention since he specializes in the same topics as my subject. In summary, the book examines how Athenians defined themselves in relation to Spartan culture and values. The given source offers a detailed examination of the ideological differences between the two city-states, confirming the dichotomy stated in my thesis.
Duplouy, Alain, and Roger W. Brock. Defining Citizenship in Archaic Greece. Oxford University Press, 2018.
Alain Duplouy and Roger W. Brock are renowned researchers in ancient Greek citizenship and political structures. Their work investigates the definition and roles of citizenship in ancient Greece by focusing on Athenian democracy, which means the book will be particularly useful for exploring the Athenian side of the question. It helps to explain Athens’s focus on democracy within the educational context and its institutions, which is a crucial point in my thesis.
Halkos, George E., et al. “Tracing the Optimal Level of Political and Social Change under Risks and Uncertainties: Some Lessons from Ancient Sparta and Athens.” Journal of Risk and Financial Management, vol. 15, no. 9, 2022, p. 416. Web.
George E. Halkos and his co-researchers are experts in political risk and financial management, applying their knowledge to historical scenarios. The article examines the key political and social changes in ancient Sparta and Athens, which occurred under a wide range of uncertainties and risks common during this period. The given source helps illustrate the unique ways Sparta and Athens navigated political change; thus, it reveals the underpinnings of their educational focuses, which proves my thesis by showing the political differences.
Hyland, John O. Persian Interventions: The Achaemenid Empire, Athens, and Sparta, 450−386 BCE. Johns Hopkins University Press, 2018.
John O. Hyland is a highly respected historian specializing in the interactions between the Persian Empire and the Greek city-states. Although his work focuses on the Persian influence on the socio-political landscapes of Athens and Sparta during the classical period, the differential responses between Athens and Sparta can offer a glimpse into their distinct differences. This source will elucidate the external factors that influenced the unique educational paths of Athens and Sparta, and demonstrate how outside military threats promoted a military-style education, thereby affirming the thesis.
Laverty, Megan. Philosophy of Education. Philosophy of Education Society, 2018.
Megan Laverty is a prominent scholar in educational philosophy, and her work offers a broad perspective on the subject with the highest degree of relevance to my research interest. Her book explores differential philosophies underpinning education systems and their impacts, and she explicitly addresses the philosophical distinctions between Athens and Sparta regarding education and military training. Laverty’s book will provide a comprehensive and complete understanding of the philosophical foundations of Athens’ education, which means the sources substantially support my thesis.
Powell, Anton. Athens and Sparta: Constructing Greek Political and Social History from 478 BC. Routledge, 2021.
As stated, Anton Powell is an established authority on ancient Greek political and social history. This book is highly relevant to the subject matter because it analyzes the construction of political and social history in Athens and Sparta from 478 BC; therefore, it will be a significant source of information. Powell’s work illustrates the evolution of the education systems in both city-states, which means it will be used to directly prove and support my thesis on the specifics of the educational contrasts I have identified.