Throughout the history of Sparta we see a dominating state that thrived on a highly militarized society. Why were they militarized? What was their society like? Was Athens better off than Sparta? These are some of the questions I will elicit as I investigate the question: Was Sparta successful? .
Why did the Spartans become militarized? There were many small factors that led to the militarization of the Sparta. However, the major underlying reason resides in the Messenean War. "The Spartan world derived from four small villages that united to form one polis (Duiker p.102)." With the unification of the villages, the Spartans grew in population and strength. "Like all civilizations that face expansion, the Spartans needed more land to feed the people (WSU)." The land that the Messeneans occupied was the perfect fit for what the Spartans were looking for. Thus, "In 725 B.C.E., The Spartans crossed the mountains and seized control over the Messenean peoples. However, like all conquered people, the Messeneans did not appreciate the loss of their independence. With the help of the city-state of Argos, the Messeneans revolted in 640 B.C.E. This was no ordinary revolt. The Messeneans almost destroyed the city-state of Sparta itself (WSU)." The Messenean's may have almost defeated Sparta, but failed to do so in the long run. The Spartans, feeling the aftershock of almost being annihilated, needed a new form of defense that would protect them from their enemies. In need of security, the Spartans turned to the radical military state, inspired by the Lycurgan reforms. The Spartans would now embark on a rigorous campaign to create "super soldiers," through heavy training and strict discipline that would lead to Sparta's success. Through the hardships of the Messenean wars, Sparta created a militarized society that would ensure them national security for years to come. .
What was Spartan society like? Under the new form of government, Spartan society became a very strict and disciplined society.
Spartan Polis There are five classes in the Spartan social class; the middle three classes are also part of the social economy. ... Spartan women were taught to read and write. ... Spartan women were trained and drilled in military and gymnastic exercises. ... Any Spartan man could abduct a wife, which leads to many husbands/wives. ... In order to be in the Spartan military, you had to be physically fit. ...
Essay: Explain the main features of the Spartan economy. ... Therefore, the importance of the perioikoi and the helots performing such tasks was stressed upon to ensure that Spartans could continue their military training. ... The profusion of natural resources Spartan land offered allowed Spartans to have self-reliance within the state and meant that the Spartans needed to import very few necessities from outside the economy. ... This led to a significant percentage of land in the hands of Spartan women and causes other historians to question the system of distribution in Sparta. ... E...
The main focus of a Spartan education was not to focus on literacy. ... After many years, the Helots grew to outnumber the Spartans by a ratio as a large as ten to one. ... When comparing the hardships the young Athenians went through to that of the Spartans, they are almost nonexistent. While the Spartans were denied food and comfort, the young Athenians still lived at home and went to school. ... At the age of eleven, the next level of a Spartan education began. ...
This essay will consider Lycurgus & his contribution & impact on Spartan society. ... Whereas, Plutarch says that Lycurgus was a Spartan king. ... Also, the Spartans were prone to heroize dead Spartans, thus dramatising the role of Lycurgus, & the sources cannot agree on his exact position in society. ... After the Spartans became suspicious of his motives, Lycurgus went to Crete. After a while, the Spartans persuaded Lycurgus to come back. ...
Why did the Spartans raise their children in this manner? ... The education and upbringing of Spartan boys was not very pleasant. ... If a Spartan did not show enough courage, then he was classified as a coward. ... The most important thing about the Spartan education system and lifestyle was that it worked. ... The Spartans successfully fought off Persian attackers and quelled Helot uprisings (even though the Spartans were greatly outnumbered by them). ...
The Spartans hoped that by doing this they would disrupt agriculture and spread fear and chaos throughout the region. ... Pericles hoped the Spartans would grow tired and frustrated and give up the fight. ... In the summer of 431, the Spartans marched into Attica and burned Athenian homes and farms. After Pericles died in 429, some Athenians joined the Spartan-led alliance. After months and years of fighting the Spartans destroyed the Athenian fleet. ...
Herodotus is more deferential in his descriptions of Spartan women, giving the reader a sense of their importance to the Spartan community. ... One of the most notable of Spartan women was Gorgo. ... Other queens were not involved in the important matters of the state, while Gorgo, a strong Spartan woman, was at the forefront of Spartan urgencies. ... The origin of a Spartan political institution is connected with the actions of a Spartan woman. ... The exceptions are mostly Spartan women, like Gorgo. ...
It told about what a Spartan boy had to go through science he was born. ... All the Spartans died I that battle including Leonidas. ... In both, it showed that a Spartan boy's training was harsh ad long. ... In both, the Spartans had spears, swords and shields Both had a design on the shield that the Spartans used. ... In both, a person betrayed the Spartans and told the Persians how to sneak from the side to get behind the Spartans. ...