Among the many ancient Greek states, two stood out - Laconia or Laconia (Sparta) and Attica (Athens). In essence, these were antagonistic states with a social system opposite to each other.

Sparta of Ancient Greece existed in the southern lands of the Peloponnese from the 9th to the 2nd century BC. NS. It is notable for the fact that it was ruled by two kings. They passed on their power by inheritance. However, the real administrative power rested with the elders. They were chosen from among the respected Spartans at the age of at least 50 years.

Sparta on the map of Greece

It was the council that decided all state affairs. As for the kings, they performed purely military functions, that is, they were the commanders of the army. Moreover, when one king went on a campaign, the second remained in the city with a part of the soldiers.

An example here is the king Lycurgus, although it is not known for sure whether he was a king or simply belonged to the royal family and had great authority. Ancient historians Plutarch and Herodotus wrote that he was the ruler of the state, but did not specify exactly what position this person held.

Lycurgus' activities belonged to the first half of the 9th century BC. NS. It was under him that laws were passed that did not give citizens the opportunity to enrich themselves. Therefore, there was no property stratification in the Spartan society.

All land suitable for plowing was divided into equal sections, which were called clair... Each family received a donation. He provided people with barley flour, wine and vegetable oil. According to the legislator, this was enough to lead a normal life.

Luxury was ruthlessly pursued. Even gold and silver coins were withdrawn from circulation. Crafts and trade were also banned. It was forbidden to sell agricultural surplus. That is, under Lycurgus, everything was done so that people could not earn too much.

The main occupation of the Spartan state was considered to be war. It was the conquered peoples who provided the conquerors with everything necessary for life. And on the land plots of the Spartans, slaves worked, who were called helots.

The entire society of Sparta was divided into military units. In each of them, joint meals were practiced or sissies... People ate from the common pot and brought food from home. During the meal, the squadron commanders made sure that all portions were eaten. In the event that someone ate poorly and without appetite, then the suspicion arose that the person ate tightly somewhere on the side. The offender could be expelled from the detachment or punished with a large fine.

Spartan warriors armed with spears

All the men of Sparta were warriors, and they were taught the art of war from early childhood. It was believed that a mortally wounded warrior should die in silence, without even uttering a quiet groan. The Spartan phalanx, bristling with long spears, horrified all the states of Ancient Greece.

Mothers and wives, seeing off their sons and husbands to the war, said: "With a shield or on a shield." This meant that the men were expected home either victorious or dead. The bodies of the dead were always carried on shields by the comrades-in-arms. But those who fled from the battlefield faced general contempt and shame. Parents, wives, and their own children turned away from them.

It should be noted that the inhabitants of Laconia (Laconia) were never distinguished by verbosity. They were expressed briefly and aptly. It was from these Greek lands that such terms as "laconic speech" and "laconicism" spread.

It must be said that the Sparta of Ancient Greece had a very small population. Over the centuries, its number has consistently not exceeded 10 thousand people. However, this small number of people kept at bay all the southern and middle lands of the Balkan Peninsula. And such superiority was achieved due to cruel customs.

When a boy was born in the family, the elders examined him. If the baby turned out to be too frail or sick in appearance, then he was thrown from a cliff onto sharp stones. The corpse of the unfortunate was immediately eaten by birds of prey.

The customs of the Spartans were extremely cruel

Only healthy and strong children survived. Upon reaching the age of 7, the boys were taken from their parents and united in small detachments. Iron discipline prevailed in them. Future warriors were taught to endure pain, courageously endure beatings, unquestioningly obey their mentors.

During periods, children were not fed at all, and they had to independently obtain food, hunting or stealing. If such a child was caught in someone's garden, then they were severely punished, but not for theft, but for being caught.

This life in barracks continued until the age of 20. After that young man a land allotment was issued, and he got the opportunity to start a family. It should be noted that Spartan girls were also trained in the art of war, but not in such harsh conditions as among young men.

Sunset of Sparta

Although the conquered peoples were afraid of the Spartans, they periodically rebelled against them. And the conquerors, although they had excellent military training, did not always turn out to be the winners.

An example of this is the uprising in Messinia in the 7th century BC. NS. It was led by the fearless warrior Aristomenes. Several sensitive defeats were inflicted on the Spartan phalanges under his leadership.

However, traitors were found in the ranks of the rebels. Thanks to their betrayal, the army of Aristomenes was defeated, and the fearless warrior himself began a partisan war. One night he made his way to Sparta, entered the main sanctuary and, wishing to put the enemies to shame before the gods, left on the altar the weapon taken from the Spartan warriors in battle. This shame has remained in the memory of people for centuries.

In the IV century BC. NS. The Sparta of Ancient Greece began to gradually weaken. Other peoples entered the political arena, headed by smart and talented commanders. Here you can name Philip the Great and his famous son Alexander the Great. The inhabitants of Laconian became completely dependent on these prominent political figures of antiquity.

Then came the turn of the Roman Republic. In 146 BC. NS. the Spartans submitted to Rome. However, formally, freedom was retained, but under the complete control of the Romans. In principle, this date is considered the end of the Spartan state. It became history, but it has survived in the memory of people to this day.

Σπαρτιᾶται ) or gomei (ὅμοιοι or ὁμοῖοι "Equal") - an estate in Sparta, men with full civil rights. They represented an estate of professional soldiers, for whom military service was their only duty. The origin of the estate falls on the time of the Lycurgus reforms in the 8th century. BC NS. who laid the foundations of the Spartan state.

Spartiat style

To educate citizens, a general education system was created - agoge. All boys from families of citizens from the age of seven were sent to closed paramilitary schools - agely, where they studied until the age of 18-20. The main focus of training was on physical fitness, military science and ideology. The conditions were very harsh, the lack of food and comfort should have taught the young men to the hardships associated with military service. Mentors encouraged rivalry and competition among trainees, thus identifying potential leaders.

No one could become a citizen without completing training in the agel. The exceptions are the Spartan kings (not obliged to undergo such training) and the historian Chilo, who received citizenship for his greatest services to Sparta. After completing his studies, the Spartan received civil rights and became a member of the Sissity. However, he was still under the control of educators and older sissy classmates. Only after reaching the age of 30, the Spartiat received the right to privacy and could leave the barracks. However, even here he could not be completely free: a citizen had to have a family and children, bachelors and childless were severely censured.

Military service was the main and unconditional duty of citizens, it was also the only opportunity to advance and take a more prominent social position. All other occupations, except those related to the war, were prohibited or considered inappropriate for a citizen.

A citizen who has reached the age of 60 and has achieved respect in society could be elected to the gerusia - the council of elders.

Place in the structure of society

In the military-aristocratic state of Sparta, the Spartans were the ruling class. However, due to their small size and the need to maintain the functioning of the state, the Spartiats themselves were far from free in their pursuits - their whole life from childhood to old age was strictly regulated by laws and customs, and the duties assigned to them had to be performed rigorously, under fear of expulsion or deprivation of citizenship.

The decline of the Spartans

By the 5th-4th centuries BC. NS. the estate began to decline. Its number was greatly reduced due to the many wars in which Sparta was involved, and the low birth rate (due to late marriages and the isolation of the estate) could not compensate for the losses. In addition, during the wars of conquest, the Spartans got acquainted with the lifestyle of the surrounding peoples. The luxury, convenience and freedom of life impressed them, and the Lycurgus institutions, which had kept Sparta in economic and ideological isolation for several hundred years, gradually began to be forgotten.

The defeat of Sparta in the Battle of Leuctra caused irreparable damage to the number of Spartans and put an end to the hegemony of Sparta in Hellas, and the subsequent seizure of Messenia by Epaminondas Theban, the land belonging to the Spartan clans, was a strong blow to the Spartan economy. Sparta from a powerful state that extended its influence over the whole of Hellas, turned into a force of local significance. The military estate lost its importance and Sparta moved from a professional army to a militia army, the same as that of other Greek policies.

Ancient Sparta is an ancient state, a city-polis, located in the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula, in the Peloponnese.

The name of the province of Laconia gave the second name to the Spartan state in the ancient period of history - Lacedaemon.

History of origin

In world history, Sparta is known as an example of a militarized state, in which the activities of each member of society are subordinated to a single goal - to raise a strong and healthy warrior.

In the ancient period of history in the south of the Peloponnese, there were two fertile valleys - Messinia and Laconica. They were separated from each other by an impassable mountain range.

Initially, the state-city of Sparta arose in the Laconic Valley and was a very small area - 30 X 10 km. Swampy terrain prevented access to the sea and nothing promised this tiny state of world fame.

Everything changed after the violent conquest and annexation of the Messenia valley and during the reign of the ancient Greek philosopher and great reformer Lycurgus.

His reforms were aimed at the formation of a state with a certain doctrine - to create an ideal state and to eradicate such instincts as greed, greed, the thirst for personal enrichment. He formulated the basic laws that concerned not only the administration of the state, but also strictly regulated the private life of each member of society.

Gradually, Sparta turns into a militarized state whose main goal was its own national security. The main task is to produce soldiers. After the conquest of Messenia, Sparta conquered some lands from Argos and Arcadia, their neighbors in the northern part of the Peloponnese, and switched to a policy of diplomacy, supported by military superiority.

This strategy allowed Sparta to become the head of the Peloponnesian Union and play an important political role among the Greek states.

State structure of Sparta

The Spartan state consisted of three social classes - the Spartans or Spartans, the Periecs inhabiting the conquered cities and the slaves of the Spartans helots. The complex, but logically harmonious structure of the political administration of the Spartan state was a slave system with remnants of tribal relations that had survived from primitive communal times.

At the head were two rulers - hereditary kings. Initially, they were completely independent and did not obey anyone else and did not report to anyone. Later, their role in government was limited to a council of elders, a gerusia, which consisted of 28 life-long members over 60 years of age.

Ancient state of Sparta photo

Further - the national assembly, in which all the Spartans who have reached the age of 30 and who have the means necessary for a citizen took part. Somewhat later, another body of state administration appeared - the ehorat. It consisted of five officials elected by the general meeting. Their powers were practically unlimited, although they did not have clearly defined boundaries. Even the ruling kings had to coordinate their actions with the Ephors.

Society structure

The dominant class in Ancient Sparta was the Sparta. Each had his own land plot and a certain number of helot slaves. Taking advantage of material benefits, Spartiat could not sell, donate or bequeath land or slaves. This was the property of the state. Only Spartans could enter the governing bodies and vote.

The next social class is the perieki. These were the inhabitants of the occupied territories. They were allowed to trade, engage in crafts. They had the privilege of entering the military. The lowest class of helots, who were in the position of slaves, were state property and came from the enslaved inhabitants of Messenia.

warriors of sparta

The state provided helots on lease to the Spartiats for the processing of their land allotments. During the period of the highest prosperity of Ancient Sparta, the number of helots exceeded the ruling class by 15 times.

Spartan education

The education of citizens was considered a state task in Sparta. From birth to 6 years old, the child was in the family, and after that he was transferred to the care of the state. From 7 to 20 years old, young men underwent very serious physical training. Simplicity and moderation in an atmosphere full of hardships from childhood taught a soldier to a strict and harsh life.

The 20-year-old boys who passed all the tests completed their studies and became warriors. Upon reaching the age of 30, they became full members of society.

Economy

Two of the most fertile regions belonged to Sparta - Laconia and Messinia. Arable farming prevailed here, olives, vineyards, horticultural crops... This was the advantage of Lacedaemonia over the Greek policies. The most basic foodstuff, bread was grown, not imported.

Among grain crops, barley predominated, the processed product of which was used as the main food in the diet of the inhabitants of Sparta. Wealthy Lacedaemonians used wheat flour as a supplement to the staple diet in public meals. Wild wheat, spelled, was more widespread among the general population.

The warriors needed good nutrition, so cattle breeding was developed in Sparta on high level... Goats and pigs were raised for food, and bulls, mules, donkeys were used as draft animals. Horses were preferred for the formation of mounted military detachments.

Sparta is a warrior state. He needs, first of all, not decorations, but weapons. Luxurious excesses were replaced by practicality. For example, instead of painted, elegant ceramics, the main task of which is to delight, the craft of making vessels that can be used on long hikes is reaching perfection. Using rich iron mines, the most durable "Laconian steel" was made in Sparta.

An indispensable element of the military armament of a Spartan was a copper shield. History is known for many examples when politicking, power ambitions destroyed the most stable economy and destroyed statehood, in spite of all its military might. The ancient ancient state of Sparta is a clear example of this.

• In Ancient Sparta, healthy and viable offspring were taken care of very cruelly. Newborn children were examined by elders and the sick or weak were thrown into the abyss from the Tayget rock. The healthy ones were returned to the family.
• Girls in Sparta went in for athletics on a par with boys. They also ran, jumped, and threw spears and discs to grow strong, resilient and produce healthy offspring. Regular exercise made the Spartan girls very attractive. They stood out for their beauty and stateliness among the rest of the Hellenes.
• We owe the ancient Spartan upbringing to such a concept as “laconicism.” This expression is due to the fact that in Sparta young men were taught modest behavior, and their speech had to be short and strong, that is, “laconic”. This made the inhabitants of Laconia stand out among the people who like to orate at the Athens.

The glory of Sparta - the Peloponnesian city in Laconia - is very loud in historical chronicles and in the world. It was one of the most famous policies of Ancient Greece, which did not know troubles and civil upheavals, and its army never retreated in front of enemies.

Sparta was founded by Lacedaemon, who reigned in Laconia one and a half thousand years before the birth of Christ and named the city after his wife. In the first centuries of the city's existence, there were no walls around it: they were erected only under the tyrant Naviz. True, they were later destroyed, but Appius Claudius soon erected new ones.

The ancient Greeks believed that the founder of the Spartan state was the legislator Lycurgus, whose life span falls approximately in the first half of the 7th century BC. NS. The population of ancient Sparta in its composition was divided at that time into three groups: Spartans, Periecs and Helots. The Spartans lived in Sparta itself and enjoyed all the rights of citizenship of their city-state: they had to fulfill all the requirements of the law and they were admitted to all honorary public positions. Farming and crafts, although it was not forbidden to this class, did not correspond to the image of the upbringing of the Spartans and therefore was despised by them.

Most of the lands of Laconia were at their disposal; helot cultivated for them. To own a land plot, a Spartan had to fulfill two requirements: exactly follow all the rules of discipline and provide a certain part of the income for the sissity - a public table: barley flour, wine, cheese, etc.

Game was hunted in the state forests; moreover, everyone who sacrificed to the gods sent a part of the carcass of the sacrificial animal to Sissitium. Violation or non-compliance with these rules (for any reason) resulted in the loss of citizenship rights. All full-fledged citizens of ancient Sparta, young and old, had to participate in these dinners, while no one had any advantages and privileges.

The circle of perieks was also made up of free people, but they were not full citizens of Sparta. Perieci inhabited all the cities of Laconia, except for Sparta, which belonged exclusively to the Spartans. They did not make up politically the whole city-state, since they received control in their cities only from Sparta. Perieci of different cities were independent from each other, and at the same time, each of them was dependent on Sparta.

The helots were rural population Laconia: They were slaves of the lands that they cultivated for the benefit of the Spartans and Periecs. Helots also lived in cities, but city life was not typical for helots. They were allowed to have a house, a wife and a family, and it was forbidden to sell helot outside the property. Some scholars believe that the sale of helots was generally impossible, since they were the property of the state, and not of individuals. Some information has come down to us about the cruel treatment of the Spartans with helots, although again some of the scientists believe that in this regard, contempt was more visible.

Plutarch reports that every year (by virtue of the decrees of Lycurgus) the ephors solemnly declared war against the helots. Young Spartans, armed with daggers, walked throughout Laconia and exterminated the unfortunate helots. But over time, scientists found that this method of exterminating helots was legalized not during Lycurgus, but only after the First Messenian War, when helots became dangerous for the state.

Plutarch, the author of the biographies of prominent Greeks and Romans, beginning his story about the life and laws of Lycurgus, warned the reader that it is impossible to tell anything reliable about them. And yet he had no doubt that this politician was a historical person.

Most scientists of modern times consider Lycurgus a legendary person: one of the first, back in the 1820s, the famous German historian of antiquity K.O. Müller doubted its historical existence. He suggested that the so-called "laws of Lycurgus" are much older than their legislator, since these are not so much laws as ancient folk customs rooted in the distant past of the Dorians and all other Hellenes.

Many of the scholars (W. Wilamowitz, E. Meyer, and others) consider the biography of the Spartan legislator preserved in several versions as a late reworking of the myth of the ancient Laconian deity Lycurgus. The adherents of this trend have questioned the very existence of "legislation" in ancient Sparta... The customs and rules that governed daily life E. Meyer classified the Spartans as "the way of life of the Dorian tribal community", from which classical Sparta grew almost without any changes.

But the results of archaeological excavations, which were carried out in 1906-1910s by an English archaeological expedition in Sparta, gave rise to a partial rehabilitation of the ancient legend about the legislation of Lycurgus. The British explored the sanctuary of Artemis Orphia - one of the most ancient temples in Sparta - and discovered many artworks of local production: wonderful examples of painted ceramics, unique terracotta masks (not found anywhere else), objects made of bronze, gold, amber and ivory.

For the most part, these finds somehow did not fit the ideas about the harsh and ascetic life of the Spartans, about the almost complete isolation of their city from the rest of the world. And then scientists suggested that the laws of Lycurgus in the 7th century BC. NS. have not yet been put into action and the economic and cultural development of Sparta proceeded in the same way as the development of other Greek states. Only by the end of the 6th century BC. NS. Sparta closes in on itself and turns into the city-state as the ancient writers knew it.

Due to the threats of the helots' rebellion, the situation was then hectic, and therefore the "initiators of reforms" could resort (as was often the case in ancient times) to the authority of some hero or deity. In Sparta, Lycurgus was chosen for this role, who gradually began to turn from a deity into a historical legislator, although ideas about his divine origin persisted until the time of Herodotus.

Lycurgus had a chance to put in order a cruel and outrageous people, therefore it was necessary to teach him to resist the onslaught of other states, and for this to make everyone skilled warriors. One of the first reforms of Lycurgus was the organization of the government of the Spartan community. Ancient writers claimed that he created the Council of Elders (Herusia) of 28 people. The elders (gerons) were elected by the appella - the national assembly; gerusia also included two kings, one of whose main duties was commanding the army during the war.

From the descriptions of Pausanias, we know that the period of the most intense construction activity in the history of Sparta was the 6th century BC. NS. At this time, the temple of Athena the Copper House on the acropolis, the portico of Skiada, the so-called "throne of Apollo" and other buildings were erected in the city. But on Thucydides, who saw Sparta in the last quarter of the 5th century BC. e., the city made the most dismal impression.

Against the background of the luxury and grandeur of the Athenian architecture of the time of Pericles, Sparta seemed already a nondescript provincial town. The Spartans themselves, not afraid to be reputed to be old-fashioned, did not stop worshiping archaic stone and wooden idols at a time when Phidias, Myron, Praxiteles and other outstanding sculptors of Ancient Greece were creating their masterpieces in other Hellenic cities.

In the second half of the VI century BC. NS. there was a noticeable cooling of the Spartans for the Olympic Games. Before that, they took the most active part in them and made up more than half of the winners, and in all the main types of competitions. Subsequently, for all the time from 548 to 480 BC. e., the victory was won only by one representative of Sparta - Tsar Demarat - and only in one type of competition - horse racing at the hippodrome.

To achieve harmony and peace in Sparta, Lycurgus decided to eradicate wealth and poverty in his state forever. He banned the use of gold and silver coins, which were used throughout Greece, and instead introduced iron money in the form of obols. They bought only what was produced in Sparta itself; in addition, they were so heavy that even a small amount had to be transported by carriage.

Lycurgus also prescribed a way of life at home: all Spartans, from an ordinary citizen to a king, had to live in absolutely the same conditions... A special regulation indicated what houses could be built, what clothes to wear: it had to be so simple that there was no place for any luxury. Even the food was supposed to be the same for everyone.

Thus, in Sparta, wealth gradually lost all meaning, since it was impossible to use it: citizens began to think less about their own good, and more about the state. Nowhere in Sparta did poverty coexist with wealth, as a result, there was no envy, rivalry and other selfish passions exhausting a person. There was no greed, which opposes private benefit to the state good and arms one citizen against another.

One of the Spartan youths, who acquired land for a pittance, was put on trial. The accusation said that he was still very young, and had already been seduced by profit, while greed was the enemy of every inhabitant of Sparta.

Raising children was considered one of the main duties of a citizen in Sparta. The Spartan, who had three sons, was exempted from guard duty, and the father of five from all existing duties.

From the age of 7, the Spartan no longer belonged to his family: the children were separated from their parents and began social life... From that moment on, they were brought up in special detachments (agels), where they were supervised not only by fellow citizens, but also by specially assigned censors. Children were taught to read and write, taught to be silent for a long time, and to speak succinctly - briefly and clearly.

Gymnastic and sports exercises were supposed to develop dexterity and strength in them; so that there was harmony in the movements, the young men were obliged to participate in choral dances; hunting in the forests of Laconia developed patience for difficult trials. The children were fed rather poorly, therefore they made up for the lack of food not only by hunting, but also by theft, since they were also taught to steal; however, if anyone was caught, they beat him mercilessly - not for theft, but for awkwardness.

The youths who reached the age of 16 were subjected to a very severe test at the altar of the goddess Artemis: they were severely flogged, and they had to remain silent. Even the smallest cry or groan contributed to the continuation of the punishment: some could not stand the test and died.

In Sparta, there was a law according to which no one was supposed to be more complete than necessary. According to this law, all young men who have not yet reached civil rights, were shown to eporami - members of the election commission. If the young men were strong and strong, then they were honored with praise; young men, whose body was considered too flabby and loose, were beaten with sticks, since their appearance disgraced Sparta and its laws.

Plutarch and Xenophon wrote that Lycurgus legalized that women should perform the same exercises as men, and through this they became strong and could give birth to strong and healthy offspring. Thus, Spartan women were worthy of their husbands, since they also obeyed a harsh upbringing.

The women of ancient Sparta, whose sons died, went to the battlefield and watched where they were wounded. If in the chest, then the women looked with pride at those around them and honorably buried their children in their father's tombs. If they saw wounds on their backs, then, weeping with shame, they hurried to hide, leaving the dead to be buried by others.

Marriage in Sparta also obeyed the law: personal feelings did not matter, because it was all a matter of state. Young men and women could enter into marriage, the physiological development of which corresponded to each other and from whom one could expect healthy children: marriage between persons of unequal constitutions was not allowed.

But Aristotle speaks of the position of Spartan women quite differently: while the Spartans led a strict, almost ascetic life, their wives indulged in extraordinary luxury in their home. This circumstance forced men to raise money often in dishonest ways, because direct funds were forbidden to them. Aristotle wrote that Lycurgus tried to subordinate Spartan women to the same strict discipline, but met with a resolute rebuff on their part.

Left to themselves, women became self-willed, indulged in luxury and licentiousness, they even began to interfere in state affairs, which ultimately led to a real gynecocracy in Sparta. "And what difference does it make," asks Aristotle bitterly, "whether women themselves rule, or are the rulers under their authority?" The Spartans were accused of behaving insolently and impudently and allowing themselves to live luxuriously, thereby challenging the strict norms of state discipline and morality.

To protect his legislation from foreign influence, Lycurgus limited Sparta's ties with foreigners. Without permission, which was given only in cases of special importance, the Spartan could not leave the cities and travel abroad. Foreigners were also prohibited from appearing in Sparta. The inhospitableness of Sparta was the most famous phenomenon in ancient world.

The citizens of ancient Sparta were something like a military garrison, constantly exercising and always ready for war either with helots or with an external enemy. Lycurgus' legislation took on an exclusively military character also because there were times when there was no public and personal security, there were no principles at all on which state peace is based. In addition, the Dorians in a very small number settled in the country of the helots they conquered and were surrounded by half-subdued or not at all subdued Achaeans, therefore they could only hold out in battles and victories.

Such a harsh upbringing, at first glance, could make the life of ancient Sparta very boring, and the people themselves unhappy. But from the writings of ancient Greek authors it is clear that such unusual laws made the Spartans the most prosperous people in the ancient world, because only rivalry in the acquisition of virtues reigned everywhere.

There was a prediction that Sparta would remain a strong and powerful state as long as it followed the laws of Lycurgus and remained indifferent to gold and silver. After the war with Athens, the Spartans brought money to their city that seduced the inhabitants of Sparta and forced them to deviate from the laws of Lycurgus. And from that moment on, their valor began to fade gradually ...

Aristotle believes that it was the abnormal position of women in Spartan society that led to the fact that Sparta in the second half of the 4th century BC. NS. it became terribly depopulated and lost its former military power.

The phrase "Spartan education" is world famous. A well-thought-out and well-functioning system not so much for raising children as for building a whole society, glorified a small ancient Greek state for centuries.

But few people know that strict principles, the purpose of which was to create a combat-ready people ready for any hardships, led to the impoverishment of the culture and spirituality of Sparta.

According to many scholars, it was the "Spartan upbringing" that caused the decline and disappearance of this state.

Spartan children

The system of upbringing boys in ancient Sparta (VIII-IV centuries BC) was called "agoge", which meant "taking away".

Raising boys in a military-heroic spirit was considered a privilege, therefore it extended only to the children of full citizens of Sparta - the Dorians.

For all other "non-partan" children, passing through this system opened up prospects for obtaining citizenship, therefore, whenever possible, parents gave their son "to foster care." However, "education" is not quite the correct term.

It was a state program designed to form a strong army capable of bearing the burden and hardships of long campaigns of conquest. The life of a Spartan man from birth to old age was subordinated to these goals.

Plutarch, in his Life of Lycurgus, wrote that fathers brought newborn boys to the council of elders. They examined the child, and if it turned out to be healthy, they gave it back to the father so that he would feed him. Together with the child, the father was entitled to a plot of land.

Weak, sick and ugly children, according to Plutarch, were thrown into the abyss by Apophetes. Nowadays, scientists have proven that the ancient Greek thinker exaggerated.

During the research, no child's remains were found at the bottom of the gorge in the Taygeta Mountains. The Spartans happened to throw prisoners or criminals off the cliff, but never children.

Babies in Sparta grew up in hard wooden cradles. Boys did not wear warm clothes. From the most early years they were forced to do physical exercises - running, jumping.

At the age of 7, boys were taken from home to orphanages. Here their childhood ended.

In the heat and on the coldest winter days, they practiced outdoors: mastered military skills, learned to handle weapons, throw a spear.

They had their hair cut bald, they never covered their heads, and warm clothes were not required either.

Young Spartans slept in the hay or reeds, which they themselves had to bring themselves. Pupils often had to get food on their own - plundering neighboring areas. At the same time, getting caught stealing was a shame.

For any offense, prank, oversight, the boys were severely punished - beaten with whips.

So in the Spartans, fortitude and fortitude were brought up. It was believed that the stricter the upbringing, the better for young men and the state as a whole.

Education in Sparta was not appreciated. A warrior should not be smart, but cunning. Obliged to be resourceful, adapted to life and hardships.

The Spartans were taught to speak little and short - "laconic". Educating feelings, imagination, teaching the arts - all this was considered a waste of time and a distraction of the warrior from his destiny.

At the age of 18, the young man left the orphanage. From that moment on, he could not cut his hair or shave his beard, but continued to engage in military exercises. At the age of 20, the Spartan was transferred to the detachment of hierens (youths).

And although he was already an adult, until the age of 30 he was still under the supervision of educators and improved his skills in military prowess.

Interestingly, at this age, the Spartans could marry, create their own families, but still did not completely belong to themselves.

One of the principles of the Spartan education of young men was mentoring. It was believed that an experienced husband and warrior is able to teach a young citizen more than official science. Therefore, every Spartan of mature age kept a boy or youth with him, helping him develop his civil and military prowess.

Spartan girls

The upbringing of Spartan girls, as Plutarch wrote, was similar to the upbringing of boys with the only difference that they were engaged in physical exercises without leaving their parental home.

The development of body and fortitude was important for the girls. But at the same time, girls were the personification of purity in Sparta, the attitude of boys and men towards them was respectful and respectful, almost chivalrous.

For the attention of the beauties, young men fought in gymnastic competitions. From their youth, the girls felt like full-fledged members of society, citizens, took an active part in the affairs of society. Women were respected by men, because they shared their passion for military affairs, their patriotism and political views.

But for all the social activity, the Spartans at all times were famous throughout Greece for their homeliness, ability to manage and maintain a home.

Sparta and its model of educating young people left a big mark on world military affairs. It is believed that the principles of discipline of the Spartan army were used by Alexander the Great when creating his army. And the modern infantry originates precisely from Sparta.

Modern Sparta is a small administrative center in the south of the Peloponnese. Its population is no more than 20 thousand people, and the attitude towards children is completely ordinary here, they are adored and pampered in a completely Greek way.
Only a few ruins remind of the great past.

Learn also: about the myths of the Delphic Oracle and how it was built, and many other historical legends.

We offer you to visit a fascinating excursion and learn everything about the cave of Zeus: how to get there and what to see in the vicinity will help with this.

Archaeological sites, the ancient Acropolis, the sanctuary of Apollo - all this can be seen in the city of Gortyn, read.