Sparta

Structure of Spartan Society

• Spartiates:– Military Professionals– Only Male Spartan Citizens

• Periocei:– Means Neighbor or outsider– Free Tradesmen

• Helots:– Slaves and the Mass Majortiy

Spartan Women

• Enjoyed more free time than the average women of the Ancient World

• Could own and inherit land• Could Divorce their husbands if they were not

seen fit• Where expected to give birth to strong

Spartan Warriors

Spartan Government

• The Spartans had an Oligarchy: Ruled by a small group of individuals– 2 Warrior kings elected by the council– A Council of Elders, retired Warriors

Spartan Culture

• Spartan Culture is complete centered around War and military training– Everything had a military undertone

including music and dancing• The Spartans had no great feats of

Art or Literature. Even their city itself has no great ruins.– The Spartans did not care about such

wimpy things

The Phalanx

• The Spartan Phalanx is a perfect symbol of Spartan Culture.

• The Spartans Believed that a group or country was only as strong as its weakest link. – NO SPARTAN WAS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE

STATE!!!– Phalanx Video

Spartan Warrior Ideology

• The Spartans were trained to have complete Obedience and Discipline during the Agoge.

• Taught that death on the battlefield was the highest honor.

• Pre Battle Rituals– Exercise– Bath– Do your hair– Put on your best clothes– Write you name on a stick and tie it to you arm