Spartan Life
The Spartan Army was respected and feared mutually. This was because the warlike race was not one to take discipline lightly. From early childhood Spartans were being trained to be soldiers to protect their homeland with their lives.
Shortly after birth, a mother would bathe the babe in wine to see if it was strong. If the baby lived, the father would then take it to the council of elders, the Gerousia, who would determine whether the baby would be allowed to live or if "puny and deformed" it would be thrown into a chasm leading to certain death.
Though seemingly harsh, as a militaristic state, Sparta's safety and prosperity relied on its ability to defend itself and conquer other threats and so physical strength and superiority was vital to its health.
Shortly after birth, a mother would bathe the babe in wine to see if it was strong. If the baby lived, the father would then take it to the council of elders, the Gerousia, who would determine whether the baby would be allowed to live or if "puny and deformed" it would be thrown into a chasm leading to certain death.
Though seemingly harsh, as a militaristic state, Sparta's safety and prosperity relied on its ability to defend itself and conquer other threats and so physical strength and superiority was vital to its health.
“The Spartans had a narrower conception of ‘virtue’ than the Athenians, and it offends modern humanitarianism almost as much as its demands would scare them, but though cruel in some aspects and brutal in others, it has a heroic quality.”
- H.D.F. Kitto
When the male children turned seven they were sent to the Agoge, the Ancient Greek equivalent of a military boarding school. These institutions served to encourage discipline and increase physical toughness.
Survivors of this harsh school graduate by age 20. From this age on Spartan men were expected to qualify to be accepted as a full citizen of Sparta and would serve in the reserves until age 30. From this age on, the Spartans were tasked with the age old tradition of ancient civilizations - expanding their bloodline.
Survivors of this harsh school graduate by age 20. From this age on Spartan men were expected to qualify to be accepted as a full citizen of Sparta and would serve in the reserves until age 30. From this age on, the Spartans were tasked with the age old tradition of ancient civilizations - expanding their bloodline.