### q2 Roman attitudes toward Sparta and Athens differed > Eventually Rome gave the Spartans a qualified autonomous status, respecting them for their legendary status as warriors, and the was even growing again by the fourth century. Athens, however, was supported by the Romans as more of a hub of culture and learning. Athens’ status as the early hub of Greek (and thus Western) literature, language, philosophy and learning would consistently afford it special status that Sparta lacked, with very real consequences even to the present day. - [[on the longevity of Athens instead of Sparta#q2 Roman attitudes toward Sparta and Athens differed|View in Vault]]