Ancient Greek Cities
There were many different cities and city-states in Ancient Greece. They were all known for different things. The two most powerful and important cities were Athens and Sparta, but there were still many other famous historical cities. Like Corinth, Thebes, Delphi, and more. Corinth was most famous for its architecture, as Corinthian architecture is the third major form of classic Greek architecture. Thebes is famed for its literature and was also the place where Pindar, a famous Greek poet, lived. Delphi was known for being the religious center of Greece, where people from all over Greece would go and seek guidance from the famous Delphic oracle, Pythia. It was also a center of the arts, education, literature, and trade, and the home to one of the most famous athletic competitions in Ancient Greece, the Pythian Games. These were just a few cities, but there were many more that were famous for other things.
Athens
Pythia, the Oracle of Delphi.
The Parthenon, a famous temple dedicated to the goddess Athena.
Still existing today, Athens is the capital of Greece. Athens was named after Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and war. They had even built a shrine to her called the Parthenon. It was also one of the most advanced cities at the time and the most respected city in Ancient Greece. They were famous for their literature, poetry, drama, theater, schools, buildings, government, and their dedication to arts and science. Education was an incredibly important part of Athens. The girls learned how to run the house while the boys went to school to learn the arts. Athens was also known for being the birthplace of Democracy, as they experimented with different types of governments. Even today, Athens is the most famous city in Greece and a place that many people visit.
Sparta
Sparta was also a powerful city in Ancient Greece. It was known for its military strength. The main gods/goddesses the Spartans worshipped were Athena, Zeus, Artemis, and Apollo, all of who were powerful gods and goddesses represented strength and wisdom. Unlike many of the other cities, Spartans would study war instead of philosophy, art, and theatre. The boys would be raised by their mothers until they were seven, then they would go to a military school called Agoge, where they would be trained to fight, read, and write. When they turned 20, they would be entered into the Spartan Army. The girls would also go to school at the age of seven, but it wasn't as hard as boys'. They would train in athletics and exercise because the women needed to stay fit so they would have strong sons who could fight for Sparta. The women were given more freedom and education that most of the other females in other cities in Ancient Greece. The Spartan army was considered the most powerful army in Ancient Greece.
