THE RISE OFGREEK

CIVILIZATION

Chapter 2

Sparta’s Growing Problems

Overpopulation Not enough land

Greed

First Messenian War

Sparta invaded Messenia for land, resources

Took control of land AND people

Messenians = Helots Messenians were

enslaved

Forced to work their land for Spartans

Helots outnumbered Spartans 10 to 1 

Second Messenian War Helots rebelled

Argos + other Peloponnesian cities helped the Helots

Long, bitter war; nearly destroyed Sparta

Sparta won – but reevaluated lifestyle

Result: a Spartan military state

The Spartan Way of Life

A Disciplined Life

No fancy homes

No special foods or treats

Not much meat, wine

Spartans did NOT use money “Coins lead to greed,

corruption”

Used metal rods instead

Often bartered goods, services

Fit for the State? Spartans trained from birth

to serve polis

Babies evaluated

Weak babies killed or abandoned

Strong boys begin military training: age 7

Living for the State

Join army = age 20

Training:

Athletics, military arts, deprivation, pain, survival tactics (theft ok)

Live in barracks until age 30

Food from soldier’s land, farmed by Helots

Spartan Men

Marry = age 30

Became “equals” (citizens) = age 30

Retire from army = age 60

A Spartan Woman sends her Son off to War

As a Spartan soldier prepared to leave for battle, his wife or mother would hand him his shield and say, “ Carrying it or on it.”

In other words, “Come home victoriously (‘carrying the shield)’ , or dead because you gave your life for Sparta (‘on the shield’).”

Under no circumstances was a Spartan soldier to return home because he ran away from the fight.

Spartan Armor

Spartan Women

No military training for girls

Trained in athletics

Gymnastics, running, wrestling, discus

Shorter dresses so they could run easily

Goal for Spartan Women

“Serve Sparta.”

“Bear strong, warrior sons.”

Could travel freely

Influential

Spartan Priorities Serve needs of the polis first

Personal honor, family pride come second

Sacrifice privacy, comfort to produce soldiers

Win glory, respect through bravery in war

Sparta’s Innovative Government Mixed regime combining monarchy,

oligarchy, democracy

monarchy = rule by one

oligarchy = rule by a few

democracy = rule by many

Sparta’s Monarchy Two kings, served at the same

time

Usually from rival families

Kept each king from becoming too strong

Religious and military responsibilities

Led army into battle

Sparta’s Oligarchy

Sparta’s Council of Elders

Council of nobles + both kings

28 men – over the age of 60

Members of council elected for life

Heard court cases involving kings

Debated law with elders, kings, magistrates (judges)

Sparta’s Democracy

The Assembly:

Men over the age of 30

Ratified laws and council decisions

Elected board of ephors annually

The Board of Ephors Check power of the kings

Control foreign policy

Oversee generalship of kings fighting wars

Preside at the assembly

Guard against Helot rebellion

The Peloponnesian League

Sparta Looks for Help Preoccupied with Helots

Stable government, life

Worried about neighbors

Might invade – or incite Helots to rebel

Decided to strike a “deal”

Tegea Sparta invaded Tegea; took no

land/slaves

Proposed alliance:

Keep land and freedom Follow our lead in foreign affairs Supply soldiers on demand

Struck alliance with most poleis on Peloponnesus

Creation of the Peloponnesian League

Leader of alliance

United like-minded Greeks

Guaranteed Sparta’s security

Sparta became most powerful polis