Athenian Economy
The Athenian economy was based only on trade. The land around Athens was not good for farming, but it was near the sea, and it had a good harbor. Athenians traded with other city-states and some foreign lands to get the goods and recourses that they needed.
Athenians bought and sold goods at a huge marketplace called the agora. There, merchants sold their goods from small stands. Athenians could also buy and sell slaves at the agora.
Athenians bought and sold goods at a huge marketplace called the agora. There, merchants sold their goods from small stands. Athenians could also buy and sell slaves at the agora.
Listen to what Alfred has to say about the Athenian economy, what does he say the Athenians used for their currency?
Spartan Economy
Unlike Athens, Sparta's economy relied on both farming and conquering other people. Sparta did not have enough land to feed all its people, so they took the land they needed from their neighbors. Because Spartan men spent their lives as warriors, Sparta had to use slaves and non citizens to produce goods.
The Spartans would turn the people they conquered into slaves called helots. These helots were allowed to continue to live in their own villages, but they were forced to give much of the food they grew to the Spartan citizens.
The Spartans also made use of non citizens, called periokoi. Periokoi were free men, not slaves. They could serve in the army when needed, but they could not participate in the government. The periokoi made such neccesary items as shoes, red cloaks for the soldiers, iron tools like knives and spears, and pottery. They also conducted some trade with the other city-states.
In general, Sparta discouraged trade. The Spartans feared that contact with other city-states would lead to new ideas and weaken their government. Trading with Sparta was also difficult because they did not use coins, instead they used heavy iron bars as their money.
The Spartans would turn the people they conquered into slaves called helots. These helots were allowed to continue to live in their own villages, but they were forced to give much of the food they grew to the Spartan citizens.
The Spartans also made use of non citizens, called periokoi. Periokoi were free men, not slaves. They could serve in the army when needed, but they could not participate in the government. The periokoi made such neccesary items as shoes, red cloaks for the soldiers, iron tools like knives and spears, and pottery. They also conducted some trade with the other city-states.
In general, Sparta discouraged trade. The Spartans feared that contact with other city-states would lead to new ideas and weaken their government. Trading with Sparta was also difficult because they did not use coins, instead they used heavy iron bars as their money.