Sparta: Military City-State

Sparta = A Nation of Soldiers Sparta was founded by the Dorian (Greeks who invaded Peloponnesus in the Dark Age) They enslaved their neighbors and their city-state grew larger

Helots = Slaves There were more helots than Spartans. Helots constantly threatened rebellions against the Spartans. Sparta needed strong military to hold helots down

Spartan Government Government in Sparta was an oligarchy. An oligarchy is ____________________________ In Sparta, the government had three parts: Two kings, A council of elders, An assembly made of all citizens that voted on laws (Citizens were male, native-born Spartans over 30) Assembly elected 5 ephors: people who enforced the laws and managed tax collection

Life in Sparta Spartan way of life began at birth Babies were inspected by elders. If boys had any defects, they were thrown down a cliff Girls with defects were sold as slaves

Daily Life in Sparta Life in Sparta was hard. Everything centered around the military and helping men prepare for battle. Social classes included: 1. male citizens: they served in the army 2. artisans, craftsmen, merchants; 3. women 4. slaves They ate very basic foods: grains, meats, etc. Sparta discouraged travel abroad and the study of literature, the arts, science and other subjects. They did little trading and limited interaction with outside world: they were very suspicious of outsiders bringing ideas of change.

Happy Birthday, Welcome to Basic Training! At the age of 7, boys began training for a lifetime in the military Left their families to live in barracks Forced to become tough http://www.history.com/topics/spartans/videos#spartan-boot-camp-killing-machines

Military training Boys were given little food or clothing Encouraged to go out and steal or fight for food Would play “games” in which they would fight or beat each other; had to show toughness and not cry or show pain Left out in woods to fight for their life against animals and cold

Difficult test for citizenship At age 20, the men were tested. They had to be strong in military tactics, leadership, and fitness If they passed, they became citizens and full members of the army If they did not pass, they became outcasts

Life in the military Men married at the age of 20 Had to live in barracks for ten years If they wanted to see their wives, they had to escape

Military cont. At the age of 30, men could finally move home and were full citizens Still ate every meal in the military dining hall Food was sparse and plain

Greek Defense The Greeks used a defense called the Phalanx. http://www.history.com/topics/spartans/videos#spartans-deconstructed

Women: Important Part of Warrior Society Exercised to strengthen their bodies—only Greek women could do so Had freedom: could own properties and go where they wanted Were expected to produce healthy sons Men were busy with war, women had expanded roles in running the home and raising sons Girls were educated at age 7 in reading and writing, gymnastics, athletics and survival skills. Were treated more as equals.

Tough love Spartan mother to her son as he goes off to war: “Return with your shield or on it.” It was shameful to return from without winning. It was better to die a glorious death In battle.

The Real 300 Have you seen the movie 300? There are some significant problems with the movie as it relates to history. I will share the truth about what maybe the greatest battle, fought by the world’s greatest soldiers, in defense of Greece.

300 The 300 Spartan warriors all had a son at home. It is suggested that those soldiers were picked because they would have someone at home for whom to fight. This is nice, but the truth is likely that this guaranteed the soldiers’ family lineage would not die out if they did not survive.

Truth vs. Fiction Did Spartans throw a Persian down the well? Yes, but ten years earlier. Did only 300 Spartans fight? No, over 4,000 Was Ephialtes a Spartan? Was he deformed? No, and no.

Truth vs. Fiction Did the Spartans wear no armor? They wore chest protectors and helmets, and they all had the plume. Was Xerxes 9 feet tall? No. Did the Persian use elephants and rhinoceroses? No, but they did use horses. Twenty percent of the Persian military was cavalry on horses