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What is Ancient Sparta?
Sparta is one of the most famous city-states belonging to Ancient Greece. Located in the southwestern region of Greece, it has also been referred to as Lacedaemon. It is also the capital of Laconia, which was a region on the Peloponnese peninsula.
When Did the Spartans Exist?
Sparta is thought to have been established around the 9th Century BC and remained through the 5th Century BC. The peak of their power occurred in the 5th Century BC, but Sparta quickly fell to Persia in the 4th Century BC and then lost to a Theban army in 371 BC. By the year 272 BC, Sparta was weak and at the control of other world powers.
Who were the Spartans?
The Spartans were the citizens of the city-state of Sparta belonging to Greece. Their social structure was significantly different from the Athenians in northern Greece. In fact, the Spartan culture differed so much from the rest of Greece that the Spartans fought in conflicts with the people of Athens, Thebes, and Corinth.
What were the Spartans famous for?
The Spartans were famous for being fearless, strong, and effective warriors. They are a society born and built on military strength and dominance. The citizens of Athens both feared and applauded the Spartans strength and military prowess.
In the art of war, the Spartans were known for their hoplon, which is the name given to the Spartan shield. These shields were special because they had small openings carved into the sides where spears could be threated through.
They were also famous for phalanxes, which was a formation used during battle. The front row of soldiers would link shields to create a wall of armor and shield. They would move simultaneously when commanded. Then those in the first few rows behind the line of shields would use their lances to spear the enemy.
What are Famous Spartan Battles?
Perhaps the most famous battle is the Battle of Thermopylae, which was a battle between King Leonidas of Sparta and Persian army of Xerxes I. During the Second Persian Invasion, the Persian army marched towards Sparta. Leonidas and his Spartan army met the Persians at a mountain passage of Thermopylae.
In this battle, The Spartans were outnumbered by the Persians in terms of soldiers. However, the Spartans held their line of shields and managed to fend off the Persians for two days. However, on the third day, Spartans were betrayed by a fellow Greek. This citizen informed Xerxes of a path around the mountain pass.
As the Spartan army fled, Leonidas and his bodyguards stayed behind to fight the Persians. They were killed, and the Persians continued their march on Greece.
What was it Like to Live in Ancient Sparta?
Sparta had a stringent social structure. At the bottom of society existed conquered people, especially the conquered people of Laconia or Messenia. Conquered people had no rights and usually served in the army.
Another lower-class group consisted of the agricultural laborers, called helots. These workers lived on Spartan farms. Alongside them were freed helots.
Spartan citizens themselves had political rights, and they did not do farm work. Spartan citizens spend the majority of their time, focus, and efforts towards military interests. This means they trained, hunted, and practiced in the art of war and politics.
Boys were sent to a military training academy at the age of seven. Here, the boys learned to carry out commands and use weapons during the war. In some early writings, Roman historians note that the boys had to make their beds by breaking wood with their hands for the frame.
The boys would be selected for battle. The most elite soldiers would form the king’s guard, which was about 300 soldiers in total.
Clothing of Ancient Sparta
The Spartans had simple clothes that were functional and practical. They most often wore a kind of tunic that was wrapped around the body. It had buttons or pins to hold the cloth in pace after draped around the body.
In the summer, the Spartans most likely wore linen while during the winter they would use wool.
In terms of shoes, they would have very simple sandals or primitive, open-toed boots. At times, they may not wear shoes at all, depending on the situation.
The Spartans had a particular passion for the color red. Spartan warriors would wear red cloaks or capes that they would wear in battle or everyday life.
Foods
The slaves in Sparta were farmers, so they provided some of the food in the city-state. Sparta was primarily self-sustaining. They would eat fish and meat hunted in the area while they would also make cheese and drink milk from goats. In addition, they also ate fruit and figs that they could grow in their climate.
Women
Women were given much more privileges and rights in Sparta than other parts of Greece or Europe. Spartan women could own land and property. In fact, women controlled and owned nearly a third of Spartan land. If their husbands died, the women would retain the land.
Women also had freedom of movement and leisure as well. They could participate in sports, travel, and drink wine or spirits. Some of their wealth and power they gained from inheritance or dowries, which went straight to them.
Government
Sparta had two kings, but these kings were regulated by a council of elders, referred to as the gerousia. This council was made up of 28 men and the two kings. These kings themselves were also considered priests of the god Zeus.
The gerousia created laws, bills, proposals, and legal issues to be voted upon. They submitted issues to the general, or national, assembly.
This assembly was called the apella. The apella consisted of citizens who could serve in the army or those who had already served. They voted on laws and elected the elders.
Religion
The Spartans, like the rest of Greece, were polytheistic. They believed in many gods. They also believed in supernatural creatures and great heroes, who could come down in the mortal world and interfere with human life.
The Spartans gave great importance to Zeus and Apollo. In fact, the Spartans had three festivals to honor Apollo. These were called Hyakinthia, Gymnopaidiai, and Karneia.
Before battles, the Spartans engaged in rituals to honor and appease the gods, as well as receive blessings and protection in battle. Prior to the battle, the king would give sacrifices to Zeus. A soldier would be designated to carry the torch lit by the flame at Zeus’s altar. This fire would be carried to battle.
Just before the battle, the king would then made yet another sacrifice to Zeus, and he would make an additional sacrifice to Athena. All of these sacrifices were in line with their war-driven mindset and social structure. The gods they particularly gave attention to were the gods that would give them power and strength, especially in battle.
Heroes
King Leonidas is considered the bravest Sparta king and hero in Spartan history. He was known for his feats at the Battle of Thermopylae. He was the only king for ten years.
Lycurgus is somewhat of a Spartan myth. No one is sure if this man was real, a legend built from a real man, or a completely made up person. Lycurgus was deemed the “lawgiver.” He is the individual who supposedly established the communal and military lifestyle of Sparta. He led Sparta to its stability, power, wealth, and expansion.
Lysander is a sea admiral that led the Spartan fleet against the Athenian fleet in 405 BC. This naval battle seemed to end the Peloponnesian War.
Legends
According to mythology and legend, Lacedaemon founded the city and gave his name to the region. Lacedaemon is supposedly a son of Zeus.
Additionally, Spartans are also found in the Trojan War. Menelaus, a Spartan King, abducted Helen of Troy. Helen was wife to Paris, the Trojan prince. Helen given to Paris of Troy by Aphrodite, and Helen was the most beautiful woman in all of Greece. After Menelaus of Sparta kidnapped her, the story of the Trojan War begins.
Other Interesting Facts about Ancient Sparta
- The Spartan kings only came from two hereditary bloodlines—the Eurypontids and the Agiads.
- Spartan Kings would fight alongside their soldiers
- The Spartans were different from Athens in culture
- Spartans were not too concerned about progressing in art, literature or philosophy.
- Instead, Spartans were concerned about military practices
- The Spartans were highly invested in sports
- They sent many successful warriors to the Olympic games
- Sparta had a theater that was capable of holding nearly 15,000 spectators.
- It was one of the largest theaters in Greece
- When Spartans died in battle, they would be carried on their shields to a burial ground.
- The dead would have some sort of grave marker indicating Spartan citizenship and honor in battle
- When men went to war, their wives ran their property and households.
- Women were expected to defend the land against thieves and invaders.
- She was also expected to suppress and stop and revolts that occurred
- The soldier’s shield was the most important piece of armor.
- It signified the protection of the common good as well as the protection of their brothers in the battlefield
- Plutarch mentions that mothers would say to their sons going to battle: “come back with your shield—or on it”
- The Spartans taught their children to live a life without material possessions or wealth
Read more about Sparta and Ancient Greece
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