What are the differences between the three poleis of Athens, Sparta, and Miletus?

Because of how the Greek city-states developed independently of one another, there are significant differences between them. Athens and Sparta were very different in many regards. Athens was interested in the individual and Sparta was interested in the state. As a result, Athens developed a strong education and training system that developed some of the best scientists, political thinkers, philosophers, and artists in the world. Athens also developed into a direct democracy where all citizens...

Because of how the Greek city-states developed independently of one another, there are significant differences between them. Athens and Sparta were very different in many regards. Athens was interested in the individual and Sparta was interested in the state. As a result, Athens developed a strong education and training system that developed some of the best scientists, political thinkers, philosophers, and artists in the world. Athens also developed into a direct democracy where all citizens participated in decisions in the political realm. Athens also developed into the best naval power and leveraged this strength into the formation of the Delian League, of which it became the dominant partner.  With this dominant position in the league, it became quite wealthy and used this money to build great works of architecture and sculpting.  

Sparta, on the other hand, was much more militaristic than Athens, having the best army in Greece. Sparta conquered its neighbors by sheer military brute and opted not to build colonies like Athens and Miletus. Spartans trained their youth to be furious fighters and the military commitment of men lasted for over fifty years. Spartans were wary of outside influence and did not allow its citizens to travel abroad. Visitors were also not allowed into Sparta. The Spartans had a very complex political structure that combined elements of a republic, monarchy, and oligarchy.

Miletus was a Greek city-state that was located away from mainland Greece in Asia Minor. It operated as an oligarchy with an elected tyrant as its leader. Miletus had a number of colonies throughout the Aegean and was a very well developed commercial city. Its location on the coast allowed it to send many trade goods from within Turkey to locations throughout the Mediterranean. Miletus was not as respected for its military prowess as the other two city-states, but its commercial success made up for that deficiency. Unlike Sparta, Miletus was an important center of learning, science, and art.