Compare and contrast an important political and cultural element of the Athenian and Spartan poleis and how this was reflected in the Athenian army at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC and the 300 Spartan hoplites at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC The cultures of two of the most important Greek poleis, Athens and Sparta, were first demonstrated at the Athenian Battle of Marathon against the Persian Empire in 490 BC, in which the Athenians commanded the battle through a democratic command, separated from the enemy by the freedom of the people, and then by the Spartans in 480 BC at the Battle of Thermopylae (in the second Persian invasion), in which the Spartans demonstrated their willingness to never retreat from the enemy in their fight for their deaths. In Sparta, while all citizens were socially equal and no man had more than another, the amount of political power varied greatly from man to man. In Athens, while all men had the same political power and opportunities, wealth varied greatly from wealthy plantation owners to poor farmers. This contrast between political power and social equality was present in both battles, greatly determining how each polis fought in the battle. In the ancient Greek polis of Sparta, the entire culture was built around warfare. A man's character was based on his performance and courage in battle, and many Spartan laws were put in place to better educate, strengthen, and train the Spartans for warfare. Young Spartans were fed only enough to survive with terrible food that was only eaten out of necessity, not out of a desire to experience the pleasure of eating. “Those who have undergone this training would be better able to continue working on an empty stomach” (Xen. Lac. Pol. 2.5) This reform has helped create...... middle of paper ......a Empire was a direct consequence of the governments and laws implemented in these two poleis. From the sacrifice of 300 Spartans to the democratic command of Marathon, the differences between Athens and Sparta were also evident in battle. The combined Greek forces finally defeated the Persians after the Battle of Thermopylae, largely thanks to the Athenian battle at Salamis and the Spartan battle at ____. In a sense, Sparta and Athens were opposites and shared only the slightest similarity. The Athenians focused on freedom and democracy, while the Spartans focused on warfare, education, and equality in every aspect of life except politics. These principles were instilled in the citizens of each polis, with the citizens of each polis believing that his was the superior. Through these principles the two distinct cultures of Athens and Sparta were created.