History Main / AthensAndSparta

* UsefulNotes/{{Saudi Arabia}} and UsefulNotes/Iran, the two main Middle Eastern powerhouses, can be seen as Athens and Sparta respectively. Saudi Arabia is a (slightly sketchy) ally of the United States, with CrystalSpiresAndTogas as buildings and wealthy [[ArabOilSheikh businessmen who make big investments in oil]]. It is sparsely populated with an average-sized army equipped with advanced contemporary technology. Iran, on the other hand, is considered one of America's greatest foes. Most of its urban buildings are rather ill-coloured, and the streets can be seen as far more tradition with bazaars and markets. It is also a theocratic dictatorship with a highly skilled and disciplined soldiers despite using mostly military technology from the '80s and '90s. Oh, and the two are using smaller Middle Eastern countries to fight a proxy war against each other.

* UsefulNotes/{{Saudi Arabia}} and UsefulNotes/Iran, the two main Middle Eastern powerhouses, can be seen as Athens and Sparta respectively. Saudi Arabia is a (slightly sketchy) ally of the United States, with CrystalSpiresAndTogas as buildings and wealthy [[ArabOilSheikhs businessmen who make big investments in oil]]. It is sparsely populated with an average-sized army equipped with advanced contemporary technology. Iran, on the other hand, is considered one of America's greatest foes. Most of its urban buildings are rather ill-coloured, and the streets can be seen as far more tradition with bazaars and markets. It is also a theocratic dictatorship with a highly skilled and disciplined soldiers despite using mostly military technology from the '80s and '90s. Oh, and the two are using smaller Middle Eastern countries to fight a proxy war against each other.

[[folder: Mythology]]
* Myth/ClassicalMythology: The rivalry between the Greek Gods Ares and Athena was inspired by the real life rivalry of Athens and Sparta, as the two gods were the patron's of the cities. Both are war deities, but have different views on war. Ares, the patron of Sparta revels in violence and bloodshed. Athena, patron of Athens values honor and strategy. Interestingly both gods had a cult or smaller temple dedicated to them in their rivals city.
[[/folder]]

* ''Literature/{{Dune}}'' gives us Caladan (Athens) and Geidi Prime (Sparta). Caladan is a bit harsh and primal, but still beautiful, covered in vast oceans, has a somewhat Mediterranean climate, and is ruled by the just and fair House Atreides. Geidi Prime is an industrial hellhole ruled by the sadistic and hedonistic Harkonens. The visual design on the [[Film/{{Dune}} David Lynch film]] really drives the point home.

** ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]'' has Solitude and Windhelm. Solitude is the capital of Skyrim and main base of the Imperial Legion dispatched to end the Skyrim {{Civil War}}. Its design is heavily influenced by the cities in Cyrodiil and as such it has a cheery look and feel. Oh, and when you arrive you see an [[OffWithHisHead execution]], and the Legion serves an [[VestigialEmpire Empire which is corrupt and grows weaker everyday]]. Windhelm is the home of the [[LaResistance Stormcloak rebellion]] against the aforementioned Empire. They are determined to prevent Skyrim from being dragged down with the rest of the Empire and continue their war against the [[ANaziByAnyOtherName fascistic]] [[TheEmpire Aldmeri]] [[AntiHumanAlliance Dominion]] which threatens all of humanity. Windhelm is also home to crumbling and misshapen architecture, a [[SerialKiller a mysterious killer]], [[EnslavedElves Dunmer who live in the poorest slums]], and [[LizardFolk Argonians]] who live on the segregated docks.

** ''Videogame/TheElderScrollsOnline'' has lorebooks which talk about the [[AbusivePrecursors Ayleid]] city states of Delodiil and Abagarlas. Delodiil was progressive and populated by artists and scholars, and its people worshiped [[GoodIsNotNice Meridia]], a FallenAngel style [[OurGodsAreDifferent Daedric Prince]]. Abagarlas was a military state whose people worshiped [[BigBad Molag Bal]], Daedric Prince of [[TheCorrupter Corruption and Domination]]. Abgarlas's King was so jealous of Delodiil that he planned on sacking it and sacrificing every one of its citizens to Molag Bal, but by the time he and his army arrived, Delodiil had vanished, and Abgarlas had been sacked. [[spoiler: Thw Coldharbour arc reveals that Delodiil was absorbed into Coldharbour, Molag Bal's realm, and becomes the main trade hub during the Coldharbour quests. Abgarlas is explorable as a dungeon]].

** In actual practice, both cities were built on slavery and both were militarily expansionist great powers who thought nothing of sacking weaker nations (like the Island of Melos). Athens' idea of democracy was restricted to men from native born families, who were expected to lead the armies (aristoi) and said to possess "the best qualities"/arete (from which we get the word [[AristocratsAreEvil aristokratia]] -- [[TheSocialDarwinist Power of the Best]]). Later authors and historians noted that, on some level, the Spartans are more admirable because [[AtLeastIAdmitIt they didn't pretend]] they weren't a brutal slave-driven society, unlike the Athenians who saw themselves as promoting freedom. Spartans likewise had a greater role for women in society, whereas in Athens, women weren't even allowed the rights to public assembly, aside from prostitutes.

There is a city, and it is [[ShiningCity a shining example of achievement]]. It is populated by scholars, artists, dancers, and scientists. The streets and air are clean, the buildings sparkle, there is a big city park with trees, grass, a playground and bike trail. If there is a religion practiced here, expect it to be centered around a [[GodOfGood deity of goodness]]. Outside the city are [[GhibliHills magnificent forests]] and {{Arcadia}}. The city's ruler is most likely a democratically elected official, but if it's a monarchy, expect the ruler to be [[TheGoodKing king]], or [[TheHighQueen queen]] or a [[EverythingsBetterWithPrincesses princess]]. But most importantly, the people here are friendly and peaceful. Oh, they can defend themselves if needed and have a [[EliteArmy small, but powerful military]], but they prefer to use diplomacy. In hindsight, this place seems perfect. [[WhatCouldPossiblyGoWrong What could possibly go wrong?]]

* The [[TropeNamer Trope namer]] was played for laughs in an episode of ''WesternAnimation/{{Hercules}} the Animated Series'' with the conflict largely being driven by their patron deities, Athena and Ares.

** More recently, the Atlantis of Aquaman is often foiled with the Themiscyra of the Amazons. Which is the Athens and which is the Sparta is very much DependingOnTheWriter since some stories show one as more warlike and more civilized than the other.

* In America, many people, especially [[UsefulNotes/NewYorkCity New Yorkers]] and other East Coasters, see themselves as Athens to Los Angeles' Sparta -- and vice versa, with [[UsefulNotes/LosAngeles Los Angelenos]] and other West Coasters considering ''themselves'' the Athens to the East Coast Spartans. Each of these two cosmopolitan coastal cities see themselves as the UsefulNotes/MeltingPot, the center of the art and theater worlds and of politics, agreeing with each other that the rest of America is flyover country of little interest, but each also sees the other city as a trashy West Coast wanna-be / East Coast has-been.

Needless to say, these two cities probably do not get along and might even wage wars on each other. And seeing as they are right next door to each other, violence and espionage are probably common. At best the two cities are rivals, at worst they are sworn enemies. Named after the real life [[AncientGreece Greek]] cities, a work's conflict centers on two cities with opposing cultures. Expect the one that focuses more on peace to be the protagonist faction 100% of the time. In fiction, this is a good justification for a [[BlackAndWhiteMorality black and white conflict]] and a way to find the heroes likeable, and the villains despicable.

* In DC Comics you have [[Franchise/{{Superman}} Metropolis]] and [[Franchise/{{Batman}} Gotham City]]. The former is a ShiningCity, the latter is a SoiledCityOnAHill. One is seen as a futuristic "city of tomorrow" and is usually shown in broad daylight and bright colours, while the other is a Gothic post-industrial wasteland with UrbanSegregation and Gothic architecture and is usually shown at night. Incidentally, each city serves as a FantasyCounterpartCulture of UsefulNotes/NewYorkCity, but taking on different aspects of the city to better convey the dichotomy.

* Also from DC, Creator/JackKirby's ''ComicBook/NewGods'' is almost certainly modeled on the classical examples, with Apokolips being {{Mordor}} led by militaristic tyrant Darkseid, and New Genesis being represented as CrystalSpiresAndTogas, a benevolent verdant and hilly area ruled by benign gods. A twist is that both cultures are populated by effectively immortal deities.
* ''Franchise/WonderWoman'': Starting in ''ComicBook/WonderWoman1987'' the Themysciran and Bana Amazons have this correlation. While not exactly next door to one another, at first, Themyscira and Bana-Mighdall have this relationship down to a tee. The first is the idealized group of Amazons who strive for equality and peace and the second a militant misandrist group.

** In actual practice, both cities were built on slavery and both were militarily expansionist great powers who thought nothing of sacking weaker nations (like the Island of Melos). Athens' idea of democracy was restricted to men from native born families, who were expected to lead the armies (aristoi) and said to possess "the best qualities"/arete (from which we get the word [[AristocratsAreEvil aristokratia]] -- [[TheSocialDarwinist Power of the Best]]). Later authors and historians noted that, on some level, the Spartans are more admirable because [[AtLeastIAdmitIt they didn't pretend]] they weren't a brutal slave-driven society, unlike the Athenians who saw themselves as promoting freedom. Spartans likewise had a greater role for women in society, whereas in Athens, women weren't even allowed the rights to public assembly, aside from prostitutes. That being said, Sparta practiced a brutal program of eugenics and infanticide which Athens never did, so at some level which of the city-states was worse comes down to which immoral behaviour a person finds worse.

* ComicBook/{{Democracy}} features these two cities. While it doesn't focus on their animosity, WordOfGod has stated [[AllThereInTheManual that Sparta's region is {{Foil}} to Athens']].

* ''ComicBook/WonderWoman1987'': While not exactly next door to one another, at first, Themyscira and Bana-Mighdall have this relationship down to a tee. The first is the idealized group of Amazons who strive for equality and peace and the second a militant misandrist group.

** The Eldar see themselves as the only civilized people in a galaxy of barbarians, and will not hesitate to sacrifice thousands of humans to save a single Eldar's life thousands of years down the line. Justified somehat in that they're the second-oldest people in the galaxy fighting to retain what's left of their empire, and can't reproduce without a very strong chance of losing their soul.

Well... not far away, there is another city, and [[CityNoir it is the exact opposite]]. It is populated by [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy warriors]] who most likely give the city its economy via [[HiredGuns mercenary work]]. Anyone who is not a warrior is most likely a [[RetiredBadass retired soldier]] or a slave. The streets and air are [[AFoggyDayInLondonTown polluted and foul]], the buildings are [[WrongSideOfTheTracks misshapen]] and [[DeliberatelyMonochrome ill-colored]]. Instead of a park, expect a training ground where instead of play, children engage in [[TheSpartanWay warrior training worse than hell]]. The people most likely worship a [[GodOfEvil deity of evil]] or a [[WarGod god of war]]. Outside the city is a PollutedWasteland and [=Mordor=] hellhole where little to nothing lives or grows. The ruler is most likely an [[TheEmperor emperor]] or [[WarriorPrince warrior monarch]]. If the leader is democratically elected, expect an AntagonisticGovernor and the people are probably [[ApatheticCitizens not very nice.]]

** In actual practice, both cities were built on slavery and both were militarily expansionist great powers who thought nothing of sacking weaker nations (like the Island of Melos). Athens' idea of democracy was restricted to men from native born families, who were expected to lead the armies (aristoi) and said to possess "the best qualities"/arete (from which we get the word [[AristocratsAreEvil aristokratia]] -- [[TheSocialDarwinist Power of the Best]]). Later authors and historians noted that, on some level, the Spartans are more admirable because [[AtLeastIAdmitIt they didn't pretend]] they weren't a brutal slave-driven society, unlike the Athenians who saw themselves as promoting freedom. Spartans likewise had a greater role for women in society, whereas in Athens, women weren't even allowed the rights to public assembly, aside from prostitutes. That being said, Sparta practiced a brutal program of eugenics and infanticide which Athens never did, so at some level which of the city-states was worse comes down tp which imoral behaviour a person finds worse.

** In actual practice, both cities were built on slavery and both were militarily expansionist great powers who thought nothing of sacking weaker nations (like the Island of Melos). Athens' idea of democracy was restricted to men from native born families, who were expected to lead the armies (aristoi) and said to possess "the best qualities"/arete (from which we get the word [[AristocratsAreEvil aristokratia]] -- [[TheSocialDarwinist Power of the Best]]). Later authors and historians noted that, on some level, the Spartans are more admirable because [[AtLeastIAdmitIt they didn't pretend]] they weren't a brutal slave-driven society, unlike the Athenians who saw themselves as promoting freedom. Spartans likewise had a greater role for women in society, whereas in Athens, women weren't even allowed the rights to public assembly, aside from prostitutes.

--> '''Dennis O'Neill''': ''Gotham is [[TheBigRottenApple ** ‘’VideoGame/AssassinsCreedOdyssey’’ depicts the [[TropeNamer trope namer cities]] themselves at a historical period when their differences are starkest: UsefulNotes/ThePeloponnesianWar below Fourteenth Street]] at 3 a.m., November 28 in a cold year. Metropolis is Manhattan [[BigApplesauce between Fourteenth and One Hundred and Tenth Streets]] on the brightest, sunniest July day of the year.''

--> '''Dennis O'Neill''': ''Gotham is [[TheBigRottenApple Manhattan below Fourteenth Street]] at 3 a.m., November 28 in a cold year. Metropolis is Manhattan [[BigApplesauce between Fourteenth and One Hundred and Tenth Streets]] on the brightest, sunniest July day of the year.''

** ‘’VideoGame/AssassinsCreedOdyssey’’ depicts the [[TropeNamer trope namer cities]] themselves at a historical period when their differences are starkest: UsefulNotes/ThePeloponnesianWar

** In the short term, the Spartans won UsefulNotes/ThePeloponnesianWar, but Sparta was eventually defeated by Thebes at the Battle of Leuctra, and the occupying Thebans freed many helots and slave runaways. Sparta resisted conquest and subjugation by the Macedonians (under Philip II and UsefulNotes/AlexanderTheGreat) but this meant that they famously played no role in the Alexandrian-Hellenistic era[[note]]Alexander famously noted before his invasion of Persia, that he was marching as "the son of Philip II and all the Greeks, except the Spartans[[/note]]. Athens, under conquest, flourished in the Hellenistic and Roman era, remaining a major student town until Late Antiquity, and becoming the modern capital of Greece. Sparta was DemotedToExtra, becoming a theme park for Romans who saw Spartan rites and manliness as a kind of professional wrestling sports entertainment of antiquity, and saw TheSpartanWay as the province of circus freaks. The modern city was rebuilt in 1834 and while Sparta now acknowledges Athens as the capital of Greece, the ancient rivalry continues in politics and sports. Modern Athens is more liberal allowing them to [[BecomingTheMask better resemble the city the ancient Athenians presented themselves as]], while Modern Sparta is more conservative, but even the conservative modern Spartans would be more liberal compared to Ancient Athenians.