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Sparta. THIS IS SPARTA!!!!!. Why Sparta?. Sparta is one of the most interesting Polis’ in all of ancient Greece. For a bunch of weirdoes, they were pretty impressive. They played a critical role in defending the birthplace of “western ideals.”
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Sparta THIS IS SPARTA!!!!!
Why Sparta? • Sparta is one of the most interesting Polis’ in all of ancient Greece. • For a bunch of weirdoes, they were pretty impressive. • They played a critical role in defending the birthplace of “western ideals.” • Many groups and people idolize the Spartans today.
I’ll let Gerard handle this part…. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmOH5f1J1Uc
Spartan Social Hierarchy • Spartiates • Perioikoi • Helots
Spartiates • Nobles (had to be born into it) • Could hold political office and vote • Owned land • Full-time soldiers
Perioikoi • Spartiates who failed to graduate from military school or foreigners • Could not vote or own land • Merchants and artisans
Helots • Helots were the slaves of the Spartans. They had zero rights. The Spartans did not view them as human. • Every year, during the Autumn, the Spartans had a special holiday in which they were encouraged to go hunting for Helots. They would kill as many as they could. This instilled fear in the Helots, and kept them in line. • There was also a special police force in Sparta, and if they caught any Helots out after dark, they could kill those Helots. • They would go off to war with the Spartans in some instances.
Spartans were unique • The Spartans were unique for many reasons. They were known for being very frugal. This is where we get the adjective “Spartan” from. • The Spartiates only had two jobs. They were involved in politics, and they waged war. That is all. No farming, being merchants, creating art, etc. They were above that. Their entire life was warfare. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gI6sARmxEuc • They had a massive slave population that did almost all of the other jobs in Sparta. • Their military school, the Agoge, is still famous today for its effectiveness and brutality.
Spartan Children • Right after birth, babies would be evaluated by a Spartan to check for any imperfections. If there were any, the babies were left exposed to the elements. There was no room for weakness of any sort in Sparta.
Spartan Children Cont. • Once Spartan males reached age seven, they were taken away from their mothers. • They entered the Agoge, which was the Spartan military school.
Agoge • Children from age seven to twenty • In this school they were taught to fight to the death, accept physical abuse, resist pain, steal, be sneaky, and how to follow orders. • It was common for boys to die while in this school. • Spartan boys were purposely underfed, forcing them to learn how to steal food to survive, a useful skill when on campaign. • Boys were regularly whipped and beaten. • Those who failed to graduate and move on from the Agoge lost their citizenship and became perioikoi.
Adult Spartan Males • Once graduating from the Agoge, males were to join the military. • Men had to live together in a barracks until age 30. • After 30 they were given permission to marry and leave the barracks. • Males were to remain in the military reserves until age 60. • Only Spartan males above age 30 could participate in government.
Spartan Women • Spartan women had more freedoms in Sparta than most other Greek women had. • Spartan women received an education and were active and physical just like the boys. They could also own land. • Spartan women were not allowed to marry young, so they survived childbirth more often than other Greek women • The saying about Spartan women was, “We are the only women who are the mothers of men.” • The only way a woman could have a tombstone was if she died during childbirth.
Spartan death • During warfare, the Spartans only had two possible outcomes. Win or die. The saying goes “Come back with your shield (victory) or on it (death).” • Returning to Sparta after a loss is considered the greatest of all disgraces. • A Spartan king was killed by the people of Sparta for returning home after a loss.
Spartan Politics • Spartan politics were relatively simple. • Sparta had two kings, so during war there would always be a king in Sparta.
Economy • The Spartan economy was almost entirely agriculturally based. • The Spartans themselves did not farm. Only the Helots farmed.
Military • The Spartan military is known as being the best infantry based military in the history of the world. They were so well trained that they could often turn the tide of a battle with just a few Spartans. • One of the major reasons that the Spartans were so dominant was because of their military tactics, which included the Phalanx.
Battle of Thermopylae • Greeks vs. Persians, 7,000 vs. 250,000
Thermopylae • The main purpose for fighting at Thermopylae was to delay the Persians
Plataea • Greeks vs. Persians, 110,000 vs. 250,000
Plataea • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFOl-QXpLc4
Why Plataea? • The Spartans played a key role in defending Greece from the Persians. Because of their involvement at Plataea they protected the birthplace of western ideals.
Fall of the Spartans • The Spartans strict social hierarchy eventually came back to haunt the Spartans. Due to so much inbreeding, they became more frail and sickly. • Sparta was conquered in 146 BCE by the romans. • In the time of the Roman empire, the Agoge actually became a form of entertainment for wealthy romans.
Spartan Legacy • Sparta and its Spartans still have a huge impact today. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfC9h09NkUc
