Well done to G Sargent (13.5) for producing the following topic in Summer 2007. He is now at Oundle. There were pictures, but for copyright reasons they are not reproduced here.

BACKGROUND

Sparta was a military state in Ancient Greece that valued strength and courage above all. It was one of the main "super powers" of the ancient world with unrivalled military status. Because it had the most formidable army in the Greek world the Spartans regarded them self as the "Natural Protector of Greece". The Spartan kings were said to be the direct descendants of Heracles.

In some ways Spartan Culture was similar to Communism; Spartan citizens were forbidden to have gold or silver but instead use bars of Iron as their currency, which made thieving and foreign trading very difficult whilst discouraging hording (of riches).

The Spartans were very strict on honour and "the right thing to do". For example: "An elderly man was trying to find a place to sit and observe the Olympic Games, as he went to each section. All the other Greeks laughed as he tried to make his way through. Some ignored him. Upon entering the Spartan section all the Spartans stood and offered the elderly man their seats. Suddenly the entire stadium applauded. All the Greeks knew what was the right thing to do, but the Spartans were the only ones who did it. " Written by Xenophon.

Laconia or Lacedaemon was the name of the wider city-state centered at the city of Sparta, but the name "Sparta" is now used for both.

Sparta is placed very strategically with mountains on three sides and controlling the routes by which invading armies would take. It is also 27 miles from the coast making it hard to blockade.

Although it is still around today it is no longer a very powerful part of Greece, Sparta's power started to decline at around 371 BC and by Alexander the Greats time were merely a shadow of what they once were.

As well as being a huge land power they also ruled the seas with a huge navy.

Burial was considered as an act of honour and marked headstones were only given to Spartan soldiers who died in combat during a victorious campaign (or females who died in childbirth).

SPARTAN RULE

Sparta was unusually ruled by two Kings simultaneously. The reason for this was said to be descended from the twins Eurysthenes and Procles who ruled at the same time because their father could not decide who should rule. The Kings were said to be direct descendants of Heracles.

The Spartan Kings duties were religious, judicial, and bing in charge of the army and wars: the most famous of which being the Graeco - Persian war including famous battles such as the battle of Thermopile.

Men served the army until the age of thirty, where they passed into active reserve and could live with their families. Once they reached the age of sixty they were free from service. All men were soldiers but some were trained as politicians as well to be an Ephor for a year. The five Ephors were the officials/ politicans of Sparta who were in charge of civil trials, taxation, the calendar, foreign policy, and military training for young men. They swore to uphold the rule of the two kings, who in turn would swear to uphold the law. Because Ephors were only elected for one year they were not in power long enough to become greedy or corrupt.

When men reached the age of sixty they could be elected full time members of the council.

SPARTAN LIFE (FOR MEN),

Right from the earliest age until they were thirty, they were born to serve the army. Shortly after birth the child was bathed in wine to see if he was strong. Those that survived would be brought before the elders who decided if the child was weak or not. If any were found weak they were left on Mount Taygetos to die (although many were adopted by the Helots - mainly the Spartans' slaves). Those found strong would survive. Thus physical standards stayed exceptionally high.

Once boys reached the age of seven they were sent to military school, where they would enter the Agoge system for the education and training-everything from physical training such as hunting and dancing, to emotional and spiritual training. As usual in Sparta men endured harsh intensive training to keep standards high and they would have to go through what was known as the "gauntlet". They would have to run around a group of older children, who would flog them continually with whips (sometimes to death!). As they were lightly clothed, and had barely any bedding, children would often put thistles in their pallet (bed) because the prickling sensation made them feel warmer.

On leaving the Agoge they would be sorted into groups; some were sent into the countryside with nothing and forced to survive on their skills and cunning; this was called the Krypteia, believed to be an initiation rite to seek out and kill Helots who were considered to be troublesome to the state, or were found to be wandering the countryside without a good reason (and in doing so strike fear into slaves to ensure there was no rebellion). It was also a clever way to teach soldiers stealth, for some stole food but if they were caught they were punished severely.

At the age of twenty they joined one of the Syssitia (dining messes or clubs) where they learnt to rely on one another.

The average Spartan became a Hoplite (heavy infantry) who were known throughout the Greek world. Hoplites were trained to be extremely loyal and would fight to the death (battle of Thermopile). Spartans could only return to Sparta victorious or dead. If a Hoplite returned to Sparta alive but without his shield, it was thought that he had thrown his shield at the enemy in an effort to flee, which was punishable by banishment or death.

SPARTAN LIFE (FOR WOMEN)

At the time of Sparta (and until recently) women were treated as inferiors but surprisingly Spartan women were not. They had respect, power, status and at least 40% of the land. They also received just as much education as men as well as fairly intensive physical training and gymnastics. They were also allowed to wear and go where they wanted.

As in most countries at the time the role of women was to have children. Men had to marry at the age of twenty so many women married at that age too. Marriage was for purely reproductive reasons and couples often didn't see each often until the man was thirty. Because of this many married men and women both allowed and encouraged their husband/wife to have children with other Spartans, which helped to increase Sparta's population - which was needed greatly because of the selection of strong children - and was said to increase community spirit. Some women even brought their lovers home to their houses.

SPARTAN ARMY

The average soldier became a Hoplite (shown on title page) Sparta's most formidable fighting force. Hoplites had to provide their own uniform but they were all recognized by their red cape, head crest and an "A" on their shields (standing for Laconia or Lacedaemon).

Hoplites wore a breastplate, a bronze helmet with cheek plates, as well as greaves and other armour, plus a bowl-shaped wooden shield called an Aspis which was around 1 metre in diameter - the shield was a very important icon in Spartan culture as well as being very useful for defence and strategy. The Hoplite's primary weapon was a spear around 2.7 metres in length called a Doru and they also carried a short sword, called a Xiphos, for close combat. Because of this Hoplites had to carry 22-24 kg with them at all times!

Spartan tactics mainly involved charges and mass slaughter as tactics and machinery such as siege towers were not very advanced at the time. The Hoplites formed what was known as a Phalanx formation, interlocking shields with outstretched spears - shown on the title page, consisting of roughly 250 men.

The Royal Guard or Hippeus was a cavalry unit of about 300 specially chosen men who protected the Phalanx all though they were not used as often as

Spartans were very honourable and were disgusted by cowardice. They viewed bows and chariots as unmanly and cowardly but had nothing against slaughtering thousands by spear.

Sparta had a large navy at the time consisting of Biremes, with two rows of oars, and Triremes with three rows. However their navy was more of a secondary force compared to their Hoplites.