Spartan Culture (food)
- most food is natural, grown locally
- their diet was basic and humble
- the Spartan diet would regularly consist of meat including pigs, goats, and sheep
- sometimes they even had fish, wild boar, and rabbits when available
- milk was from local sheep and goats
- one of the most known Spartan dishes is black broth/soup
- wine was popular in Sparta, but like their diet, it was not an indulgence
- being drunk was not considered appropriate, so they usually watered the wine down
Spartan Culture (language, religion, and art)
Language-the main ancient Spartan language was Doric Greek
Religion-the ancient Spartans were polytheistics, meaning they worshipped many gods.Most of these gods were of course, Olympian gods such as Zeus.Their religion is known as mythology.
Art-not very many works of art came out of Sparta, they focused on war and other things
Religion-the ancient Spartans were polytheistics, meaning they worshipped many gods.Most of these gods were of course, Olympian gods such as Zeus.Their religion is known as mythology.
Art-not very many works of art came out of Sparta, they focused on war and other things
Spartan Culture (government)
- A council of elders was headed by 2 kings
- Their government was an oligarchy
- The council included 28 citizens over age 60
- The council presented laws to an assembly
- All Spartan men over age 30 belonged to the assembly
- Ephors managed tax collection and enforced the laws
- The government banned travel for any reason other than military.
- They also discouraged foreign visitors
- The government even frowned upon citizens who studied literature and the arts
Spartan Culture (Military)
- Sparta was afraid that the helots might rebel one day
- Boys trained for the military,while girls were trained in sports to become healthy mothers
- Women in Ancient Sparta were freer than other Greek women,they could own property and go where they wanted
- Spartan boys were harshly treated to make them tough
- At age seven,young boys left their families to begin training
- When they were age 20, they started the regular army
- After ten years in military barracks, they came home but remained in the army
The Greek historian, Plutarch, explained life for Ancient Spartan boys:
"After they were twelve years old, they were no longer allowed to wear any undergarment;they had one coat to serve them a year;...
They lodged together in little bands upon beds made of the reeds [grasses]...which they were to break off with their hands without a knife."
Before her son left for war, a Spartan mother told him to:
"Come home carrying your shield or being carried on it"
Spartan Culture (Important people/leaders)
There were many important people through the history of Ancient Sparta and these are just a few:
- Lycurgus
- Leonidas
- Nabis
- Cynisca
- Gorgo Queen of Sparta
- Arachidamia
Spartan Culture (daily life)
- young boys lived in barracks, training for the war
- young girls were trained in sports to become strong and fit mothers
- when babies were born they were determined whether or not they were strong enough to be a Spartan citizen
- military service was required for boys until they were of age sixty