This is Sparta!Social Studies for 9th EBG – Teacher: Mauricio

Torres

Laconia

In ancient Greece this was the principal region of the Spartan state.

Education

When a child was born, he was examined to see if he was fit to be kept alive.

If he was fit enough, he was trained since and early age to be a soldier.

Part of their training was aimed to make them stronger and endure hardships.

Daily life was dominated by the army:

Young boys and men lived in the barracks

They stayed in the army until they were 60.

Their most valued qualities were: self discipline and obedience.

This is why they had the most feared army in all of Greece!

Role of Women

Men were often away and at war.

Women owned land and property because and controlled their households, because there was no one else to do so.

Weaving or spinning clothes were thought of as jobs performed by slaves, “unsuitable to for the wives and mothers of soldiers”.

They also trained hard, just like men!

Government

This society was dominated by the military.

This was established by a man called Lycurgus (a Spartan lawgiver).

It was officially ruled by two kings.

In reality elected officials had more power, because they dealt with day-to-day activities and diplomacy.

Slaves, called helots, grew crops and served Spartans.

Laconic Wit

The word "laconic" is derived from the name of the region by analogy - to speak in a concise way, as the Spartans were reputed by the Athenians to do.

Laconic Wit

Spartans focused little on educating the mind, but they were certainly cunning and witty men.

They encouraged their own to be brief and concise. They would say a lot, in as few words as possible.

This meant that they didn’t just economize on clothing, luxuries and such, but also in words!

When it came to diplomacy, these Spartans were not as diplomatic as the other Greeks, they would have a habit of making others look like fools.

But still, this did not mean they were not friendly to others.

Ask Yourself

Identify: Who was responsible for the beginnings of Spartan society?

Recall: What two qualities did the Spartans think were most important in a good soldier?

Analyze: Why were women so empowered in Spartan society?

Bibliography

Burstein, S. M., & Shek, R. (2012). World History (Teacher´s Edition) (1st Edition ed.). (H. McDougal, Ed.) Orlando, Florida, US.: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Images taken from www.google.com