Sparta

1
Sparta

2
Where is Sparta?

• Sparta was a city in southern Greece, Sparta lay
  at the southern end of the central Laconian
  plain, on the right bank of the Eurotus river.

3
Spartan Children

• On the eighth day after a baby was born, it had
  to be taken before a council of elders for
  inspection (if judged weak, silly or wounded the
  baby was killed)
• After being accepted young children were sent
  home where they were taught by their parents
  where they learned basic physical  skills,
  obedience, to be brief in speech, to be tough and
  have courage.
• At seven, boys lived in military barracks, the
  purpose was to produce soldiers. In this military
  school, older boys were put in charge of the
  younger ones.  The bravest and most able were
  made officers. They were taught to be fit and
  stay fit  through vigorous exercise, to be
  obedient and have courage to fight, to steal
• successfully, to withstand pain and hardship
  without complaining (not like us) or breaking
  down. Taught the basis of reading, writing and
  calculations.  In later stages, they got
  instruction in combat (with and without weapons),
  military tactics and strategy.  By graduation at
  age 18, they were excellent soldiers.
• The girls stayed home and learned motherhood and
  housekeeping but this was accompanied by much
  physical activity for strength and fitness.

4
Were boys and girls treated differently?

• Yes. Boys were taken to military boarding school
  when they were seven where they lived until they
  were 30.
• Spartans were the only Greeks to take seriously
  the education of women. They made it the law.
  This was not education like ours (just as the
  education of spartan boys was not an academic
  education) it was a physical education
  (gymnastics and games ) which could be hard
  work!!.

5
What was it like to live and grow up there?

• Spartan society was considered primitive by
  ancient Greek standards. Settlements were
  scattered and mirrored the dwellings used during
  Greece's 'Dark Age' which means that they were
  mostly thatched houses. Stone construction was
  reserved for public works such as temples and
  gymnasiums. What we do know of Spartan society
  comes from historians of that time. Sparta's was
  a mixed constitutional system.

6
What was it like to live and grow up there?

• Age 18 - 20 on active duty with a fighting unit
  and to complete training by observing the
  veterans
• Age 20 - 30 on active duty, had to live  with
  his unit
• Age 30 becomes a full citizen
• Age 30 - 60 lives at home, but must take main
  daily meal with his unit, on call whenever Sparta
  needed him.
• Age 60 retired