Spatans

day, October 3, 2013

Spatans

The Spartans lived in the South-central region of Greece, in an area called Peloponnesus.   

1)   Why are Spartans important?

Spartans are important because they were very skillful in war fair and tough. The actions of Spartan military were important because told us that with strength it over comes fear and tells you to never give up.

2)   What was their form of government?

The Spartans had two kings that ruled together, but had little power. There duties were to lead the army and conduct religious ceremonies. Only aristocrats could be Spartan citizens and citizens over twenty were in the Assembly. The Assembly passed laws and decided questions of war and peace.  Each year the Assembly chose five managers known as ephors. Ephors took charge in public affairs and guided the education of young Spartans. Council of elders helped the ephors. The council was made up of men over sixty and they ruled for life. They suggested laws to the Assembly and served as a high court.

3)   What did the Spartans leave us?

The Spartans left us a strong form of government and brought new and good ideas about army.

Facts about Spartans

·      The only way a Spartan could get their names on their headstones were if they died in battle or childbirth, this is a great honor to the state of the Spartans.

·      Once a baby was born they would wash it in wine, to make sure it was strong.

·      Spartan women were so famous for the rearing of children, that rich families hired them.

·      They would check the boys weekly to make sure they didn’t gain any fat.

·      The people who trained them were other teenagers
·      Spartans had very little interest in farming. Their land was worked by helots
·      They were not interested in trade
·      There were twenty times as many helots then there were aristocrats.
·      Spartan women had more freedom than the women of other Greek city states
·      They could mix freely with other me
·      They loved to play sports like wrestling and racing

·      Spartans believed new ideas would weaken their way of life

·      When every body was changing their way of life they remained a poor farming society that depended on slaves

Story From Spartan Life

A Spartan boy life,
When a baby is born it is checked if it doesn’t have any physical defects. If it does have defects then it is left on the hillside to die or be adopted by complete strangers. If they were healthy they were bathed in wine.
At the age of 7 the boys were taken from their homes and they were to be given to the government to learn how to read, write, and use weapons. They were taught to do battle mostly by teenagers. They had to go barefoot and were given only one cloak to wear. They walked in silence, with their eyes to the ground, and spoke only when necessary. The boys slept outside without cover, and every ten days they were checked if they were not getting fat. Spartan men were expected to merry at 20 years of age but they could not live with their wives until age 30. Then they could retire at age 60 from the army.