Sparta and Athens; two great and illustrious Greek nations that were very deviant, but yet so similar. Some of the differences they had were the upbringing of children, views on education and war, and relations with its neighboring nations. They shared such things as the issue of slavery, women's rights, and their custom of citizenship. They had many similarities and differences socially, politically, and culturally.

One disturbing cultural issue is the nurturing of young children. The Spartans lived and breathed war. Therefore even before birth, children were being conformed into the image that the Spartans had of children fit for war. Before birth, the mother would exercise and strengthen their bodies, "something no other Greek women did." After birth, "Officials examined every newborn, and sickly children were abandoned to die." The children were rigorously trained and were prepared for life in the...