Ancient Greek Civilizations Lesson 3: Sparta

1. Spartan Army Long before the time of Lysander, Sparta was like the other Greek city-states. The people of Sparta had similar jobs like the people of other parts of Greece. What kinds of jobs did the people of ancient Greece have? But when there were too many people living in Sparta, the city- state decided to attack another city in order to have more land and food. The Spartans fought a long war of conquest against this city. The Spartans tried very hard to win and take its land.

2. Spartan Army This war was so difficult to win that the people of Sparta decided, “We will rebuild our city and make Sparta the strongest military force in the world. No one will be able to attack us or fight back against us. We will make all of Sparta into one great fighting city! In order to do this, every Spartan must contribute to this fighting city. All of our men will be soldiers. They will be the strongest and greatest soldiers in all of Greece. Our women will be strong, too—but their jobs will be different. The women must be able to give birth to many children and do the most difficult jobs at home while the men are off fighting.”

3. Lysander at home with mother and sister Sparta became a “closed society.” That means the Spartans did not do business or trade with other parts of Greece. Instead, they tried to make or grow all they would need in order to survive on their own land. Discuss with your partner what things the Spartans might need in order to survive, or stay alive. Sparta was a “closed society” that was not open to other city-states. The people of Sparta did not want to open themselves up to a possible attack by another city- state.

4. Lysander at home with mother and sister Compared to our life today, the Spartan way of life was hard. The Spartans had a lot of discomforts and had to accept many difficulties. We use the word Spartan today to describe people who have been through difficulties that force them to be strong in their bodies and their minds. A Spartan is someone who has a lot of self- discipline. A Spartan is someone who is determined to improve him or herself even if it means he or she will have to experience pain and discomfort.

5. Spartan council of two kings and 28 elders The government of Sparta totally changed the way their people lived in order to make Sparta the strongest military force in all ancient Greece. Not many people got to vote on how the government would work or what it would do. Women were not allowed to vote at all. Only a few men were allowed to make decisions.

6. Spartan council of two kings and 28 elders There were two kings instead of one, so that one person could not hold all of the power for himself. And if one king died in war, the other would still be alive in order to lead the Spartans. There were also twenty-eight elders who had to be at least sixty years old. The elders had to be old, so they would have enough life experience and wisdom to help the kings. The two kings and the twenty-eight elders formed a council. This council made the decisions and passed laws for the city-state.

7. Father showing Lysander training camp One law that the council passed was that at the age of seven, all Spartan men were to serve permanently—and for all time, forever— in the Spartan army. They had to live permanently in army camps. The men were only allowed to see their families once in a while. Here Lysander’s father has come to visit him. His father showed him the army camp for Spartan men and explained, “When you turn seven, you will begin your life in the army. You must make yourself as strong, as fast, and as tough as you can. I expect you to run long distances, I expect you to climb steep mountains, and I expect you to swim in rough waters. I expect the best from you.

8. Lysander at home with mother and sister Lysander was ready. This was his seventh birthday, and also the birthday of his twin sister, Disa, whose name means “double.” This would be their last birthday celebration together, for when a boy in the city-state of Sparta turned seven, his life changed forever.

9. Lysander leaving with Platon As he celebrated his seventh birthday, Lysander thought, “Today I will leave my home to begin practicing to be a soldier.” Later in the day, a large Spartan soldier came to the house to lead Lysander away. He was Platon, which means “big and wide shoulders” in Greek. Lysander wanted to look brave in front of Platon, so he did not cry when he said goodbye to his mother and sister. Still, when his sister, Disa, whispered, “I will miss you,” he whispered back, “I’ll miss you, too.”

10. Platon explaining training life to Lysander As Lysander marched off with Platon, the soldier told him, “Your father and I served together in a war. In fact, your father saved my life. So when I heard his son was going to join us, I wanted the chance to bring you to your new home. I wanted to take you to the army camp.” Platon continued, “Life at the army camp will be very different from your life at home. It will be difficult and there will be many discomforts. They will take away your shoes so that you will learn how to march and run barefoot in an emergency. You will get rough, old clothing to wear. It’s not comfortable. You need to get used to the discomfort.”

11. Boys competing for cheese “As for the food,” Platon grinned, “there’s not enough to fill you up. But sometimes the soldiers will offer you and the other boys some nice, fresh cheese—if you can get to it. Only the bravest and strongest boys will be able to get the cheese.” “Or the hungriest,” Lysander said. Platon smiled at Lysander and said, “I think you are going to do just fine.” And they marched onward together.