However, the Spartans still wanted the Helots to remain under their control, so they were forced to create a system that would keep them in check. What ensued was a militaristic state that focused only on the education of warfare and the ability to survive hardships, thereby allowing them to dominate the Helots. The education was implemented by the State on the belief that it was every citizen's duty to provide for the continuity of its way of life. At the age of seven, the education of the young Spartan male was taken over directly by the State when he was placed in his agoge, or living group, where he lived communally with all the other boys of his age. To quote Plutarch on the education of the boys, "their study of letters was restricted to the bare minimum; for the rest, their education consisted exclusively in learning unquestioning obedience, superhuman endurance, and how to win at wrestling." The obedience Plutarch speaks of is further established in Xenophon's "Constitution of Lacedemonians" when he writes, In order that the boys never lack a ruler even when the Warden was away, he gave authority to any citizen who chanced to be present to require them to do anything he thought right, and to punish them for any misconduct. This had the effect of making the boys more respectful; in fact boys and men respect their rulers above anything. The purpose of demanding such rigid obedience is obviously for military purposes considering the standard fighting unit of the time was the hoplite-phalynx. The hoplite-phalynx consisted of rows of men, each equipped with a large shield that covered half of his body and half of his neighbors, and when instructed, would charge the enemy and destroy everything in front of it. The success of the hoplite-phalynx depended on each man holding his position in the line, so his neighbor was protected, and the whole group could continue to function.
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. Their education included many athletic events such as javelin, discus, and foot races. ... 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. ...
Describe the education and upbringing of young people in Ancient Sparta. Why did the Spartans raise their children in this manner? ... The education and upbringing of Spartan boys was not very pleasant. ... At the end of their education was a final test, their graduation. ... The most important thing about the Spartan education system and lifestyle was that it worked. ...
Education was generally a privilege2. ... The main purpose of Spartan education was to create a well-disciplined, very obedient army for their future wars; to bend the people to fulfill the needs of the state2. ... Despite the fact that both genders were forced to engage themselves in Spartan education, they were not taught exactly the same2. For Spartan girls, the point of education was to be a healthy woman in order to have healthy boys to fight in the army. ... Spartan education was focused on war and Athenian education was focused on creating better citizens2. ...
What was Spartan society like? ... The ephores were responsible for supervising the youth's education and the conduct of citizens. ... The combination of this ideology, the education of Spartan males, and the disciplined maintenance of a standing army gave the Spartans the stability that had been threatened so dramatically in the Messenean revolt (history channel)." ... The Greeks took the education of their women very seriously. The education of a woman was a physical education, not an academic education. ...
In the book Spartan Women by Sarah B. ... There are two major themes; these themes include the quality of education for women in many walks throughout her life, as well as the social aspects of gender roles. ... Girls from the start of their lives were given a good education in both the arts and athletics. ... These sections included Education, Becoming a Wife, The Creation of Mothers, Elite Women, The Lower Classes, and Women and Religion. ... In reading this book it becomes clear that the Spartan society bestowed upon their women a lot of freedom and responsibility, which intern helped the S...
The highest class of Athenian women were known as Hetaera and were given an education and allowed into the Agora as men were. ... Spartan women were much different in their positions in their society. ... Until they had reached this age they became well versed in matters of education as well as learning the duties they would be responsible for as an adult. ... It has been popularly quoted that the wife of Spartan King Leonidas was asked why Spartan women were the only women in Greece who "ruled" their husbands. Gorgo replied, "Because only Spartan women give birth to men"...
