Athens vs. Sparta

Easily the most culturally, politically and religiously advanced civilization of Ancient Greece was the city-state of Athens. Obviously, as a female, I would prefer to live there over brutally ascetic, ethnically barren Sparta. Athens was rich in art and architecture, boasted an organized political structure, and had a system of trade to rival that of current First-World countries. Sparta, on the other hand was a brutal and harsh place to live, no matter your gender.
Foremost, I have always thrived on culture, and I could not imagine living in a place like Sparta, where stabbing an opponent with a sword is considered an art form. “The Athenians attempted to develop their artistic and intellectual capabilities, while Sparta remained isolated from the rest of Hellas, without art or literature, without beautiful buildings, without any development of their social and political traditions” (Nilsson). Athens was lavishly adorned with marvelous architecture like royalty with finery;...