Ancient Sparta- an ancient state, a city-polis, located in the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula, in the Peloponnese.

The name of the province of Laconia gave the second name to the Spartan state in the ancient period of history - Lacedaemon.

History of origin

In world history, Sparta is known as an example of a militarized state, in which the activities of each member of society are subordinated to a single goal - to raise a strong and healthy warrior.

In the ancient period of history in the south of the Peloponnese, there were two fertile valleys - Messinia and Laconica. They were separated from each other by an impassable mountain range.

Initially, the state-city of Sparta arose in the Laconic Valley and was a very small area - 30 X 10 km. Hindered access to the sea marshland and nothing promised this tiny state of world fame.

Everything changed after the violent conquest and annexation of the Messenia valley and during the reign ancient greek philosopher and the great reformer Lycurgus.

His reforms were aimed at the formation of a state with a certain doctrine - to create an ideal state and to eradicate such instincts as greed, greed, the thirst for personal enrichment. He formulated the basic laws, which concerned not only the administration of the state, but also strictly regulated privacy every member of society.

Gradually, Sparta turns into a militarized state whose main goal was its own national security. The main task is to produce soldiers. After the conquest of Messenia, Sparta conquered some lands from Argos and Arcadia, their neighbors in the northern part of the Peloponnese, and switched to a policy of diplomacy, supported by military superiority.

This strategy allowed Sparta to become the head of the Peloponnesian Union and play an important political role among the Greek states.

State structure of Sparta

The Spartan state consisted of three social classes - the Spartans or Spartans, the Periecs inhabiting the conquered cities and the slaves of the Spartans helots. The complex, but logically harmonious structure of the political administration of the Spartan state was a slave system with remnants of tribal relations that had survived from primitive communal times.

At the head were two rulers - hereditary kings. Initially, they were completely independent and did not obey anyone else and did not report to anyone. Later, their role in government was limited to a council of elders, a gerusia, which consisted of 28 life-long members over 60 years of age.

Ancient state of Sparta photo

Further - the national assembly, in which all the Spartans who have reached the age of 30 and who have the means necessary for a citizen took part. A little later, another organ appeared government controlled- efhorat. It consisted of five officials elected by the general meeting. Their powers were practically unlimited, although they did not have clearly defined boundaries. Even the ruling kings had to coordinate their actions with the Ephors.

Society structure

The dominant class in Ancient Sparta was the Sparta. Each had his own land plot and a certain number of helot slaves. Taking advantage of material benefits, Spartiat could not sell, donate or bequeath land or slaves. This was the property of the state. Only Spartans could enter the governing bodies and vote.

The next social class is the perieki. These were the inhabitants of the occupied territories. They were allowed to trade, engage in crafts. They had the privilege of entering the military. The lowest class of helots, who were in the position of slaves, were state property and came from the enslaved inhabitants of Messenia.

warriors of sparta

The state provided helots on lease to the Spartiats for the processing of their land allotments. During the period of the highest prosperity of Ancient Sparta, the number of helots exceeded the ruling class by 15 times.

Spartan education

The education of citizens was considered a state task in Sparta. From birth to 6 years old, the child was in the family, and after that he was transferred to the care of the state. From 7 to 20 years old, young men underwent very serious physical training. Simplicity and moderation in an atmosphere full of hardships from childhood taught a soldier to a strict and harsh life.

The 20-year-old boys who passed all the tests completed their studies and became warriors. Upon reaching the age of 30, they became full members of society.

Economy

Two of the most fertile regions belonged to Sparta - Laconia and Messinia. Arable farming prevailed here, olives, vineyards, horticultural crops... This was the advantage of Lacedaemonia over the Greek policies. The most basic foodstuff, bread was grown, not imported.

Among grain crops, barley predominated, the processed product of which was used as the main food in the diet of the inhabitants of Sparta. Wealthy Lacedaemonians used wheat flour as a supplement to the staple diet in public meals. Wild wheat, spelled, was more widespread among the general population.

The warriors needed good nutrition, so cattle breeding was developed in Sparta on high level... Goats and pigs were raised for food, and bulls, mules, donkeys were used as draft animals. Horses were preferred for the formation of mounted military detachments.

Sparta is a warrior state. He needs, first of all, not decorations, but weapons. Luxurious excesses were replaced by practicality. For example, instead of painted, elegant ceramics, the main task of which is to delight, the craft of making vessels that can be used on long hikes is reaching perfection. Using rich iron mines, the most durable "Laconian steel" was made in Sparta.

An indispensable element of the military armament of a Spartan was a copper shield. History is known for many examples when politicking, power ambitions destroyed the most stable economy and destroyed statehood, in spite of all its military might. The ancient ancient state of Sparta is a clear example of this.

• In Ancient Sparta, healthy and viable offspring were taken care of very cruelly. Newborn children were examined by elders and the sick or weak were thrown into the abyss from the Tayget rock. The healthy ones were returned to the family.
• Girls in Sparta went in for athletics on a par with boys. They also ran, jumped, and threw spears and discs to grow strong, resilient and produce healthy offspring. Regular exercise made the Spartan girls very attractive. They stood out for their beauty and stateliness among the rest of the Hellenes.
• We owe the ancient Spartan upbringing to such a concept as “laconicism.” This expression is due to the fact that in Sparta young men were taught modest behavior, and their speech had to be short and strong, that is, “laconic”. This made the inhabitants of Laconia stand out among the people who like to orate at the Athens.

Ancient Sparta

Sparta - main city the region of Laconia (southeastern part of the Peloponnese), the most Doric of all the states of Ancient Greece. Ancient Sparta was located on the western bank of the Evros River and extended north from the modern city of Sparta. Laconia is an abbreviated name for an area that was fully called Lacedaemon, so the inhabitants of this area were often called “Lacedaemonians”, which is almost equivalent to the words “Spartan” or “Spartiatus”.

Sparta, whose name may mean "scattered" (other interpretations are proposed), consisted of estates and estates scattered over an area, the center of which was a low hill, which later became the acropolis. Initially, the city had no walls and remained faithful to this principle until the 2nd century. BC. During the excavations of the British School in Athens (carried out in 1906-1910 and 1924-1929), the remains of several buildings were discovered, including the sanctuary of Artemis Orphia, the temple of Athena Copper House and the theater. The theater was built of white marble and, according to Pausanias, who described the buildings of Sparta c. 160 AD, was a "landmark", but this stone structure dates back to the era of Roman rule. From the low acropolis, a splendid view of the Evrota valley and the majestic Mount Taygetus, rising steeply to a height of 2406 m and forming the western border of Sparta, opened up.

Many historians believe that Sparta emerged relatively late, after the “Dorian invasion”, which supposedly occurred between 1150 and 1100 BC. Initially, the invaders settled in the cities that they conquered, and often destroyed, or near them, but a century later they created their own "capital" along the Evrot River. Since Sparta had not yet emerged in the period to which most historians attribute the Trojan War (c. 1200 BC), the myth of Paris's abduction of Helena, the wife of the Spartan king Menelaus, was probably attributed to Sparta. In neighboring Therapnes, where a large city of the Mycenaean era existed, there was a sanctuary of Menelaion, and the cult of Menelaus and Helena went on until the classical period.

Population growth and associated economic and social problems inspired the Spartans to expand outwardly. Excluding the one founded in Italy in the 8th century. BC. the colonies of Tarentum Sparta expanded only at the expense of Greece itself. During the 1st and 2nd Messenian Wars (between 725 and 600 BC), Messenia was conquered to the west of Sparta, and the Messenians were turned into helots, i.e. state slaves. The legend of how the inhabitants of Elis, with the support of Sparta, were able to win control of the Olympic Games from their rivals, the inhabitants of Pisa, is evidence of the Spartan activity. The first recorded victory for the Spartans at Olympia was the victory of Akanthus in running at the 15th Olympiad (720 BC). For more than a century, Spartan athletes have dominated the Olympics, achieving 46 of the 81 recorded wins during this time.

Having conquered another part of the territory from Argos and Arcadia, Sparta moved from a policy of conquest to an increase in its power through the conclusion of treaties with various states. As the head of the Peloponnesian Union (began to emerge around 550 BC, took shape around 510-500 BC) Sparta actually dominated the entire Peloponnese, with the exception of Argos and Achaia on the northern coast, and by 500 BC .NS. became the most powerful military power in Greece. Thus, a force was created that became a counterbalance to the impending invasion of the Persians, the combined efforts of the Peloponnesian Union and Athens with their allies led to a decisive victory over the Persians at Salamis and Plataea in 480 and 479 BC.

The conflict between the two greatest states of Greece, Doric Sparta and Ionian Athens, land and sea power, was inevitable, and in 431 BC. the Peloponnesian War broke out. Ultimately, in 404 BC. Sparta prevailed, and the Athenian state perished. Dissatisfaction with the Spartan dominance in Greece led to a new war. The Thebans and their allies, led by Epaminondas, inflicted a heavy defeat on the Spartans at Leuctra (371 BC) and at Mantinea (362 BC), after which, if we forget about short-term bursts of activity and random take-off periods, Sparta became lose their former power.

Under the tyrant Nabid approx. 200 BC or shortly after, Sparta was surrounded by a wall, then a stone theater appeared. During the period of Roman rule, which began in 146 BC, Sparta turned into a large and prosperous provincial city, defensive and other structures were erected here. Sparta flourished until 350 AD. In 396 the city was destroyed by Alaric.

Of particular importance in world history is the influence exerted on the later state systems political and social structure of Sparta. At the head of the Spartan state were two kings, one from the Agids clan, the other from the Eurypontides clan, which was probably originally associated with the union of the two tribes. The two kings held meetings together with the gerusia, i.e. a council of elders, to which 28 people over 60 were elected for life. All the Spartans who have reached the age of 30 and who had enough funds to perform what was considered necessary for a citizen (in particular, to contribute their share to participate in joint meals, fiditias) participated in the popular assembly (appella). Later, the institution of ephors arose, five officials who were elected by the assembly, one from each region of Sparta. Five Ephors acquired a power that surpassed the power of kings (possibly after the exercise of this position by Chilo circa 555 BC). To prevent the uprisings of outnumbered helots and to maintain the combat readiness of their own citizens, secret sorties (they were called crypts) were constantly organized with the aim of killing the helots.

Surprisingly, the type of civilization that is now called Spartan is not characteristic of early Sparta. The excavations carried out by the British confirmed the theory put forward by historians on the basis of written records that before 600 BC. Spartan culture generally coincided with the lifestyle of the then Athens and other Greek states. Fragments of sculptures, fine ceramics, figurines from Ivory, bronze, lead and terracotta found in this area testify to the high level of Spartan culture, just like the poetry of Tirteus and Alcmane (7th century BC). However, shortly after 600 BC. there was a sudden change. Art and poetry disappear, the names of Spartan athletes no longer appear on the lists of Olympic winners. Before these changes made themselves felt, the Spartan Gitiad built the “copper house of Athena” (the temple of Athena Poliuhos); 50 years later, on the contrary, it was necessary to invite foreign masters Theodore of Samos and Batikles from Magnesia to build, respectively, the Skiada (probably a meeting hall) in Sparta and the temple of Apollo Hyacinthus in Amikles. Sparta suddenly turned into a military camp, and from then on the militarized state produced only soldiers. The introduction of this lifestyle is usually attributed to Lycurgus, although it is unclear whether Lycurgus was a god, a mythical hero, or a historical figure.

The Spartan state consisted of three classes: the Spartans, or Spartans; periecs (literally "living nearby"), the inhabitants of the allied cities that surrounded Lacedaemon; helots. Only Spartans could vote and enter the governing bodies. They were forbidden to engage in trade and, in order to discourage them from making a profit, use gold and silver coins. The land plots of the Spartiats, cultivated by the helots, were supposed to provide their owners with sufficient income to purchase military equipment and meet their daily needs. Perieks were engaged in trade and production. They did not participate in political life Sparta, but had some rights, as well as the privilege of serving in the army. Thanks to the work of numerous helots, the Spartans could devote all their time physical exercise and military affairs.

It is estimated that by 600 BC. there were approx. 25 thousand citizens, 100 thousand perieks and 250 thousand helots. Later, the number of helots exceeded the number of citizens by 15 times. Wars and economic hardships reduced the number of Spartiats. During the Greco-Persian Wars (480 BC) Sparta exhibited approx. 5000 Spartiats, but a century later in the battle of Leuctra (371 BC) only 2000 fought them. It is mentioned that in the 3rd c. there were only 700 citizens in Sparta.

To maintain their position in the state, the Spartans felt the need for a large regular army. The state controlled the life of citizens from birth to death. At the birth of a child, the state determined whether he would grow into a healthy citizen or whether he should be carried to Mount Taygetus. The boy spent the first years of his life at home. From the age of 7, upbringing was taken over by the state, and almost all the time the children devoted to physical exercises and military drill. At the age of 20, a young Spartiat joined the fiditiya, i.e. company of fellow diners of fifteen people, continuing their military training with them. He had the right to marry, but he could only visit his wife in secret. At the age of 30, the Spartiat became a full citizen and could participate in the national assembly, but he spent the lion's share of the time in a gymnasium, a lesh (something like a club) and a fiditiya. Only his name was engraved on the tombstone of the Spartan; if he died in battle, the words "in war" were added.

The Spartan girls also received athletic training, which included running, jumping, wrestling, discus and javelin throwing. It is reported that Lycurgus introduced such training for girls so that they grow up strong and courageous, capable of giving birth to strong and healthy children.

The Spartans deliberately introduced a despotism that deprived the individual of freedom and initiative and destroyed the influence of the family. However, the Spartan Lifestyle greatly impressed Plato, who included in his ideal state many of its militaristic, totalitarian and communist features.

from Plutarch:
ANCIENT CUSTOMS OF THE SPARTANES

1. Each person entering the sissity, the elder, pointing to the door, warns:
"Not a word goes beyond them."

3. On their sissity, the Spartans drink little and go without torches. Them
it is generally not allowed to use torches either in this case, or when they go on other roads. It is set to teach them boldly and fearlessly
walk the roads at night.

4. The Spartans studied literacy only for the sake of the necessities of life. All other types of education were expelled from the country; not only the sciences themselves, but also people,
dealing with them. The upbringing was aimed at ensuring that young men were able to
obey and courageously endure suffering, and die in battles or
achieve victory.

5. The Spartans did not wear tunics, using only one himation for a whole year. They went about unwashed, refraining for the most part both from baths and from anointing the body.

6. Young people slept together on silts on beds, which they themselves prepared from the reeds that grew near Eurotas, breaking them with their hands without any tools. In winter, they added another plant to the reed, which they call the lycophone, since it is believed to be able to warm.

7. Among the Spartans, it was allowed to fall in love with honest-hearted boys, but it was considered a shame to enter into a relationship with them, for such a passion would be bodily, not spiritual. A person accused of a shameful relationship with a boy was deprived of his civil rights for life.

8. There was a custom according to which the older asked the younger,
where and why they go, and scolded those who did not want to answer or came up with excuses. The one who, being present, did not select the violator of this law, was subject to the same punishment as the violator himself. If he was indignant at the punishment, then he was subjected to even greater reproach.

9. If someone was guilty and convicted, he had to go around
the altar, which was in the city, and at the same time sing a song composed to him in reproach, then
is to expose oneself to reproach.

10. Young Spartans had to honor and obey not only their own fathers, but also take care of all elderly people; when meeting, give them the way, get up, freeing up space, and also not make a noise in their presence. Thus, everyone in Sparta disposed of not only their children, slaves, property, as it was in other states, but also had the right to
property of neighbors. This was done so that people act together and
treated other people's affairs as their own.

11. If someone punished the boy and he told his father about it,
then, having heard the complaint, the father would have considered it a shame not to punish the boy again.
The Spartans trusted each other and believed that none of the true paternal laws
will not order the children anything bad.

12. Young men, wherever given the opportunity, steal food, thus learning to attack sleeping and lazy guards. Those caught are punished by hunger and flogging. Their dinner is so meager that, fleeing from want, they have to be daring and stop at nothing.

13. This is the reason for the lack of food: it was scarce so that the young men could get used to constant hunger and could endure it. The Spartans believed that young men who received such an upbringing would be better prepared for war, since they would be able to live for a long time almost without food, do without any seasonings and
eat whatever comes to hand. The Spartans believed that poor food made young men healthier, they would not be prone to obesity, but would become tall and even beautiful. They believed that a lean physique provided flexibility to all
members, and the weight and fullness prevent this.

14. The Spartans took music and singing very seriously. In their opinion, these arts were intended to encourage the spirit and mind of a person, to help him in his
actions. The language of Spartan songs was simple and expressive. They did not contain
nothing but praise to people who lived their lives nobly, who died for Sparta and are revered as blessed, as well as condemnation of those who fled from the battlefield, oh
whom it was said that they had lived a woeful and wretched life. In songs
praised the virtues inherent in every age.

17. The Spartans did not allow anyone to change the rules in any way.
ancient musicians. Even Terpandra, one of the best and oldest kifared
of his time, which praised the exploits of heroes, even his ephors were punished, and his kifara was nailed for the fact that, in an effort to achieve a variety of sounds, he pulled another string on it. The Spartans loved only simple melodies. When Timothy took part in the Carnean festival, one of the ephors, taking a sword in his hands, asked him from which side it was better to cut off the strings on his instrument that were added in excess of the seven.

18. Lycurgus put an end to the superstitions that surrounded the funeral, allowing burial within the city and near the sanctuaries, and decided not to count anything,
associated with a funeral, nasty. He forbade putting any
property, but only allowed to wrap it in plum leaves and a purple blanket and bury it like that, everyone is the same. He forbade inscriptions on grave monuments, with the exception of those that were erected to those who died in the war, and
also crying and sobbing at funerals.

19. The Spartans were not allowed to leave their homeland so that they could not
to join foreign customs and the way of life of people who have not received the Spartan
education.

20. Lycurgus introduced xenolasia - the expulsion of foreigners from the country, so that, coming to
country, they did not teach local citizens anything wrong.

21. Which citizen did not go through all the stages of raising boys, did not have
civil rights.

22. Some have argued that if any of the foreigners withstood the way of life,
established by Lycurgus, then it could be included in the assigned to him from the very
started moira.

23. Trading was prohibited. If the need arose, it was possible to use the neighbors' servants as their own, as well as dogs and horses, if only they were not needed by the owners. In the field, too, if someone lacked something, he opened, if necessary, someone else's warehouse, took what was needed, and then, putting back the seals, left.

24. During wars, the Spartans wore red clothes: firstly, they
considered this color more courageous, and secondly, it seemed to them that the blood-red color should terrify opponents with no combat experience. In addition, if any of the Spartans is wounded, the enemies will not notice it, since the similarity of colors will hide the blood.

25. If the Spartans manage to defeat the enemy by cunning, they sacrifice a bull to the god Ares, and if the victory is won in open battle, then a rooster. Thus, they teach their commanders to be not only warlike, but also to master the art of leadership.

26. The Spartans also add to their prayers the request to grant them the strength to endure injustice.

27. In prayers, they ask for worthy reward of noble people and more
nothing.

28. They worship Aphrodite armed and, in general, portray all the gods and goddesses with a spear in hand, for they believe that they all have military valor.

29. Lovers of sayings often quote the words: "Do not call the gods without putting your hands on," that is: you need to call on the gods only if you get down to business and work, but
otherwise it is not worth it.

30. Spartans show children drunken helots to turn them away from drunkenness.

31. The Spartans had a custom not to knock on the door, but to voice from behind the door.

33. Spartans do not watch any comedies or tragedies, so as not to hear something said in jest or in earnest, contrary to their laws.

34. When the poet Archilochus came to Sparta, he was expelled on the same day, as he wrote in a poem that throwing the weapon is better than dying:

Now proudly the Saian wears my flawless shield:
Willy-nilly, I had to throw it to me in the bushes.
But I myself have escaped death. And let it disappear
My shield. I can get a new one just as well.

35. In Sparta, access to the sanctuaries is open to both boys and girls.

36. The Ephors punished Skirafid for the fact that many offended him.

37. The Spartans executed a man only because, wearing rags, he adorned
its a colored stripe.

38. They reprimanded one young man just because he knew the road leading from the gymnasium to Pylaea.

39. The Spartans expelled Kefisophon from the country, who claimed to be able to speak all day on any topic; they believed that for a good orator, the size of the speech should be consistent with the importance of the matter.

40. Boys in Sparta were flogged with a whip on the altar of Artemis Orthia during
the whole day, and they often perished under blows. Boys proudly and cheerfully
competed, which of them would endure the beatings longer and more dignified; the victor was glorified, and he became famous. This competition was called "diamastigosis" and it took place every year.

41. Along with other valuable and happy institutions provided by Lycurgus for his fellow citizens, it was important that the lack of employment was not considered reprehensible with them. The Spartans were forbidden to engage in any kind of crafts, and the needs for business activities and the accumulation of money from
they were not there. Lycurgus made the possession of wealth both unenviable and inglorious. The helots, cultivating their land for the Spartans, brought them a quitrent established in advance; demanding large rent payments was forbidden on pain of damnation. This was done so that the helots, receiving benefits, would work with pleasure, and the Spartans would not seek to accumulate.

42. Spartans were forbidden to serve as sailors and to fight at sea. However, later they took part in sea battles, but having achieved dominance at sea, they abandoned it, noticing that the morals of citizens change from this for the worse.
However, morals continued to deteriorate in this and in everything else. Earlier if
any of the Spartans accumulated wealth, the accumulator was sentenced to
of death. After all, even Alkamen and Theopompus were predicted by the oracle: "The passion for the accumulation of wealth will someday destroy Sparta." Despite this prediction, Lysander, taking Athens, brought home a lot of gold and silver, and the Spartans accepted him and surrounded him with honors. While the state adhered to the laws of Lycurgus and the given oaths, it excelled in Hellas for five hundred years, distinguished by good morals and enjoying good reputation. However, gradually, as the laws of Lycurgus began to be violated, self-interest and the desire for enrichment penetrated into the country, and the power of the state decreased, and the allies for the same reason began to treat the Spartans with hostility. This was the case when, after Philip's victory at Chaeronea, all the Greeks proclaimed him commander-in-chief on land and at sea, and later, after the destruction of Thebes, recognized his son Alexander. Only the Lacedaemonians
although their city was not fortified by walls and due to constant wars they had very few people left, so overcome this state that had lost its military power
it was not at all difficult, only the Lacedaemonians, due to the fact that in Sparta the weak sparks of the Lycurgian institution were still flickering, dared not to accept
participation in the military enterprise of the Macedonians, do not recognize either these or those who ruled in
subsequent years of the Macedonian kings, do not participate in the Sanhedrin and do not pay
foros. They did not completely deviate from the Lycurgus establishment until their
their own citizens, having seized tyrannical power, did not completely reject the way of life of their ancestors and thus did not bring the Spartans closer to other peoples.
Having abandoned their former glory and free expression of their thoughts, the Spartans
began to drag out a slave existence, and now, like the rest of the Greeks, they were
under the rule of the Romans.

The phrase "Spartan education" is world famous. A well-thought-out and well-functioning system not so much for raising children as for building a whole society, glorified a small ancient Greek state for centuries.

But few people know that strict principles, the purpose of which was to create a combat-ready people ready for any hardships, led to the impoverishment of the culture and spirituality of Sparta.

According to many scholars, it was the "Spartan upbringing" that caused the decline and disappearance of this state.

Spartan children

The system of upbringing boys in ancient Sparta (VIII-IV centuries BC) was called "agoge", which meant "taking away".

Raising boys in a military-heroic spirit was considered a privilege, therefore it extended only to the children of full citizens of Sparta - the Dorians.

For all other "non-partan" children, passing through this system opened up prospects for obtaining citizenship, therefore, whenever possible, parents gave their son "to foster care." However, "education" is not quite the correct term.

It was a state program designed to form a strong army capable of bearing the burden and hardships of long campaigns of conquest. The life of a Spartan man from birth to old age was subordinated to these goals.

Plutarch, in his Life of Lycurgus, wrote that fathers brought newborn boys to the council of elders. They examined the child, and if it turned out to be healthy, they gave it back to the father so that he would feed him. Together with the child, the father was entitled to a plot of land.

Weak, sick and ugly children, according to Plutarch, were thrown into the abyss by Apophetes. Nowadays, scientists have proven that the ancient Greek thinker exaggerated.

During the research, no child's remains were found at the bottom of the gorge in the Taygeta Mountains. The Spartans happened to throw prisoners or criminals off the cliff, but never children.

Babies in Sparta grew up in hard wooden cradles. Boys did not wear warm clothes. From the most early years they were forced to do physical exercises - running, jumping.

At the age of 7, boys were taken from home to orphanages. Here their childhood ended.

In the heat and on the coldest winter days, they practiced outdoors: mastered military skills, learned to handle weapons, throw a spear.

They had their hair cut bald, they never covered their heads, and warm clothes were not required either.

Young Spartans slept in the hay or reeds, which they themselves had to bring themselves. Pupils often had to get food on their own - plundering neighboring areas. At the same time, getting caught stealing was a shame.

For any offense, prank, oversight, the boys were severely punished - beaten with whips.

So in the Spartans, fortitude and fortitude were brought up. It was believed that the stricter the upbringing, the better for young men and the state as a whole.

Education in Sparta was not appreciated. A warrior should not be smart, but cunning. Obliged to be resourceful, adapted to life and hardships.

The Spartans were taught to speak little and short - "laconic". Educating feelings, imagination, teaching the arts - all this was considered a waste of time and a distraction of the warrior from his destiny.

At the age of 18, the young man left the orphanage. From that moment on, he could not cut his hair or shave his beard, but continued to engage in military exercises. At the age of 20, the Spartan was transferred to the detachment of hierens (youths).

And although he was already an adult, until the age of 30 he was still under the supervision of educators and improved his skills in military prowess.

Interestingly, at this age, the Spartans could marry, create their own families, but still did not completely belong to themselves.

One of the principles of the Spartan education of young men was mentoring. It was believed that an experienced husband and warrior is able to teach a young citizen more than official science. Therefore, every Spartan of mature age kept a boy or youth with him, helping him develop his civil and military prowess.

Spartan girls

The upbringing of Spartan girls, as Plutarch wrote, was similar to the upbringing of boys with the only difference that they were engaged in physical exercises without leaving their parental home.

The development of body and fortitude was important for the girls. But at the same time, girls were the personification of purity in Sparta, the attitude of boys and men towards them was respectful and respectful, almost chivalrous.

For the attention of the beauties, young men fought in gymnastic competitions. From their youth, the girls felt like full-fledged members of society, citizens, took an active part in the affairs of society. Women were respected by men, because they shared their passion for military affairs, their patriotism and political views.

But for all the social activity, the Spartans at all times were famous throughout Greece for their homeliness, ability to manage and maintain a home.

Sparta and its model of educating young people left a big mark on world military affairs. It is believed that the principles of discipline of the Spartan army were used by Alexander the Great when creating his army. And the modern infantry originates precisely from Sparta.

Sparta

The Spartan way of life was well described by Xenophon in his work: "Lacedaemonic politics." He wrote that in most states, everyone enriches himself as best he can, not disdaining by any means. In Sparta, on the other hand, the legislator, with his inherent wisdom, deprived wealth of all attractiveness. All Spartarians - the poor and the rich lead exactly the same way of life, eat the same at a common table, wear the same modest clothes, their children without any distinctions and indulgences to the military drill. So acquisition is devoid of any sense in Sparta. Lycurgus (the Spartan king) turned money into a laughingstock: they are so inconvenient. Hence the expression "Spartan way of life" means - simple, no frills, restrained, strict and stern.

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All the ancient classics, from Herodotus and Aristotle to Plutarch, agreed that before Lycurgus came to rule Sparta, the existing order there was ugly. And that the worst laws were not in any of the then Greek city-states. The situation was aggravated by the fact that the Spartans had to constantly keep in obedience the mass of the indigenous Greek population of the once conquered lands, turned into slaves or semi-dependent tributaries. It goes without saying that internal political conflicts posed a threat to the very existence of the state.

Ancient Sparta had a bizarre mixture of totalitarianism and democracy. The founder of the "Spartan way of life", the legendary reformer of antiquity Lycurgus, created, according to many researchers, the prototype of both the social-communist and fascist political systems of the 20th century. Lycurgus not only transformed the political and economic-economic system of Sparta, but also completely regulated the personal life of fellow citizens. Severe measures to "correct morals" presupposed, in particular, the decisive eradication of "private property" vices - greed and greed, for which money was almost completely devalued.

Lycurgus' thoughts, therefore, not only pursued the goal of putting things in order, but were also called upon to solve the problem of national security of the Spartan state.

The history of the emergence of Sparta
Sparta, the main city of the Laconia region, was located on the western bank of the Evrotus and extended north from the modern city of Sparta. Laconia (Laconica) is the abbreviated name of the area, which was fully called Lacedaemon, therefore the inhabitants of this area were often called "Lacedaemonians", which is equivalent to the words "Spartan" or "Spartiatus".

From the VIII century BC Sparta began to expand by conquering its neighbors - other Greek city-states. During the 1st and 2nd Messenian Wars (between 725 and 600 BC), the region of Messenia to the west of Sparta was conquered, and the Messenians were turned into helots, i.e. state slaves.

Having conquered another part of the territory from Argos and Arcadia, Sparta moved from a policy of conquest to an increase in its power through the conclusion of treaties with various Greek city-states. As the head of the Peloponnesian Union (began to emerge around 550 BC, took shape around 510-500 BC) Sparta actually turned into the most powerful military power in Greece. Thus, a force was created that became a counterbalance to the impending invasion of the Persians, the combined efforts of the Peloponnesian Union and Athens with their allies led to a decisive victory over the Persians at Salamis and Plataea in 480 and 479 BC.

The conflict between the two greatest states of Greece, Sparta and Athens, land and sea power, was inevitable, and in 431 BC. the Peloponnesian War broke out. Ultimately, in 404 BC. Sparta took over.

Dissatisfaction with the Spartan dominance in Greece led to a new war. The Thebans and their allies, led by Epaminondas, inflicted a heavy defeat on the Spartans and Sparta began to lose its former power.

Sparta possessed a special political and social structure. The Spartan state has long been headed by two hereditary kings. They held meetings with gerusia, a council of elders to which 28 people over 60 were elected for life. All Spartans who have reached the age of 30 and who had sufficient funds to perform what was considered necessary for a citizen, in particular, to contribute their share to participate in joint meals (fiditi), participated in the popular assembly (appella). Later, the institution of ephors arose, five officials who were elected by the assembly, one from each region of Sparta. The five ephors had power that surpassed the power of kings.

The type of civilization that is now called "Spartan" is not characteristic of early Sparta. Before 600 BC Spartan culture generally coincided with the lifestyle of the then Athens and other Greek states. Fragments of sculptures, exquisite ceramics, figurines of ivory, bronze, lead and terracotta found in this area testify to the high level of Spartan culture, just like the poetry of the Spartan poets Tirtheus and Alcmane (7th century BC) ... However, shortly after 600 BC. there was a sudden change. Art and poetry disappear. Sparta suddenly turned into a military camp, and from then on the militarized state produced only soldiers. The introduction of this way of life is attributed to Lycurgus, the hereditary king of Sparta.

The Spartan state consisted of three classes: the Spartans, or Spartans; perieki ("living nearby") - natives of the allied cities that surrounded Lacedaemon; Helots are slaves of the Spartans.

Only Spartans could vote and enter the governing bodies. They were forbidden to engage in trade and, in order to discourage them from making a profit, use gold and silver coins. Land The Spartiats, processed by the helots, were supposed to provide their owners with sufficient income to purchase military equipment and meet their daily needs. The Spartan masters did not have the right to release or sell the helots attached to them; helots were given to the Spartans as if for temporary use and were the property of the Spartan state. Unlike the ordinary slave, who could not have any property, the helots had the right to that part of the products produced on their site, which remained after the payment of a fixed share of the harvest to the Spartans. To prevent the uprisings of outnumbered helots and to maintain the combat readiness of their own citizens, secret sorties (crypts) were constantly organized with the aim of killing the helots.

Perieks were engaged in trade and production. They did not participate in the political life of Sparta, but had some rights, as well as the privilege of serving in the army.

Thanks to the labor of numerous helots, the Spartiats could devote all their time to physical exercise and military affairs. By 600 BC there were about 25 thousand citizens, 100 thousand perieks and 250 thousand helots. Later, the number of helots exceeded the number of citizens by 15 times.

Wars and economic hardships reduced the number of Spartiats. During the Greco-Persian Wars (480 BC) Sparta exhibited approx. 5000 Spartiats, but a century later in the battle of Leuctra (371 BC) only 2000 fought them. It is mentioned that in the 3rd c. there were only 700 citizens in Sparta.

Spartan education
The state controlled the life of citizens from birth to death. At birth, all children were examined by the elders, who decided whether they were healthy, strong, and not crippled. In the latter case, children, as they could not become capable instruments of the state, were doomed to death, for which they were thrown into the abyss from the Tayget rock. If they were healthy, they returned to their parents for upbringing, which lasted up to 6 years.

The upbringing was extremely harsh. From the age of 7, the child completely belonged to the power of the state, and almost all the time the children devoted to physical exercises, during which they were allowed to kick, bite and even scratch each other with their nails. All urban boys were divided into ranks and classes and lived together under the supervision of state-appointed overseers. The guards, in turn, with all their subordinates were under the command of the chief overseer - the pedon. This position was usually held by one of the noblest and most honorable citizens. This joint upbringing achieved the fact that all children were imbued with one common spirit and direction. In addition to gymnastics, the Spartans were taught at school to play the flute and sing religious martial hymns. Modesty and respect for elders were the first duties of young people.

Children were brought up in the greatest simplicity and moderation, subjected to all kinds of hardships. Their food was bad and so insufficient that they had to find themselves the missing food for themselves. For this, as well as for the development of resourcefulness and dexterity in young Spartiates, they were allowed to steal anything from food with impunity, but if a thief was caught, then he was painfully punished. The children's clothes consisted of a simple cloak and they always walked barefoot. They slept in hay, straw, or reeds, which they themselves collected from the Evrot River. Every year, on the holiday of Artemis, the boys were flogged to the point of blood, and some of them fell dead without uttering a single sound, without uttering a single plaintive groan. By this, they thought to achieve the fact that men who emerged from such boys would not fear wounds or death in battle.

After expiration probationary period, at the age of 15, teenagers fell into the group of eirens. Here, the training was based on drill training and the mastery of weapons. The base of physical training itself consisted of pentathlon (penathlon) and fistfights. Fist fighting, as well as hand-to-hand fighting techniques, constituted "Spartan gymnastics". Even the dance served to train the warrior: in the course of rhythmic movements, it was required to imitate a duel with the enemy, throwing a spear, manipulate a shield in order to dodge stones that were thrown by teachers and adults during the dance. Spartan youths usually walked the streets with a quiet, even step, with lowered gaze and holding their hands under a cloak (the latter was considered in Greece a sign of modesty). From childhood they were accustomed not to make speeches, but to answer shortly and strongly. Hence, such answers are now called "laconic".

At the age of twenty, Spartiat finished his education and entered the army. He had the right to marry, but he could only visit his wife in secret.

At the age of 30, the Spartiat became a full-fledged citizen, could legally marry and participate in the national assembly, but he spent the lion's share of the time in the gymnasium, leskh (something like a club) and fiditiya. The marriage was concluded between young people freely, according to inclination. As a rule, the Spartiat kidnapped his girlfriend (however, with the knowledge of his parents) and saw her secretly for some time, and then openly declared her his wife and introduced her into the house. The position of his wife in Sparta was rather honorable: she was a mistress in the house, did not lead such a reclusive life as in the East and partly among other Greek tribes, and in better times Sparta displayed a high patriotic spirit.

The Spartan girls also received athletic training, which included running, jumping, wrestling, discus and javelin throwing. Lycurgus introduced such training for girls so that they grow up strong and courageous, capable of giving birth to strong and healthy children. The Spartans were famous throughout Greece for their beauty; Spartan nurses became so famous that everywhere rich people tried to entrust their children to them.

Customs and life of the Spartans
Private lifestyle laws were entirely aimed at eliminating inequality.

The most strict way of life was prescribed for the Spartans. For example, men could not dine at home, they gathered at common tables, where they dined in groups or partnerships. This custom of public dining was called sissitia. Each member of the partnership delivered a certain amount of flour, wine, fruit and money to the table. They dined very moderately, their favorite food was black stew, cooked on pork, seasoned with blood, vinegar and salt. To cover the costs of such a common table, every Spartan citizen was obliged to deliver a certain amount of food every month: barley flour, wine, cheese and fig. The condiments were purchased with insignificant monetary contributions. The poorest people who were unable to pay these contributions were exempted from them. But only one who was engaged in sacrifice or felt tired after the hunt could be exempted from sissity. In this case, in order to justify his absence, he had to send part of the sacrifice he had brought or the animal he had killed to the Sissitia.

In private dwellings, Lycurgus banished any sign of luxury, for which they were ordered not to use any other tools in the construction of houses, except for an ax and a saw.

A natural consequence of the simplicity of such relationships and needs was that money in the state did not circulate to a large number, and with limited trade with other states, especially in the early days, it was easy to do without gold and silver.

The greatest simplicity was also observed in clothing and dwellings. Only before the battle did the Spartans dress up as for a holiday: then they put on crimson cloaks, decorated their long hair with wreaths and went with songs to the sound of flutes.

With the extraordinary attachment of the Spartans to their laws and customs, their mental development was delayed by the entire system of ancient institutions, adapted to their state structure... And when orators, sophists, philosophers, historians and dramatic poets appeared in other Greek states, the mental side of education among the Spartans was limited only to teaching them to read and write, sacred and warlike songs that they sang at festivals and starting the battle.

Such identity in morals and education, which was supported by the laws of Lycurgus, further strengthened the opposition between the Spartans and all other Hellenes, led to an even greater alienation of the natural character of the Spartan-Dorian tribe. Therefore, although they point to the Lycurgus law, according to which no foreigner could stay in Sparta longer than the necessary time and did not have the right to live for a long time outside the homeland, it is obvious that this was just a custom arising from the very essence of things.

The natural severity of Sparta already in itself removed the stranger from her, and if anything could attract him there, it was only one curiosity. For a Spartan, however, either side could not have any temptation, since there he met customs and living conditions alien to him, to which he had been accustomed from childhood to treat only with contempt.

In addition to the outlined laws establishing moderation, the safety of bodily health, contempt for all kinds of dangers, there were also other decrees that directly sought to form soldiers and brave men from the Spartans.

Staying in a military camp was considered a holiday. Here is severity home life received some relief and lived a little freer. The scarlet clothing worn by the Spartans in war, the wreaths with which they were adorned when entering the battle, the sounds of flutes and songs that accompanied them when attacking the enemy - all this gave the previously terrible war a cheerful solemn character.

Brave warriors who died on the battlefield were buried topped with laurel wreaths. Burial in crimson clothing was even more honorable; names were indicated only on the graves of those killed in battle. The coward was punished with insulting shame. Whoever fled from the battlefield or was incapacitated was deprived of the right to participate in gymnastic games, in sissyties, did not dare to buy or sell, in a word, in everything he was exposed to general contempt and vilification.

Therefore, before the battle, mothers admonished their sons: "With a shield or on a shield." “With a shield” - that means I look forward to your return with victory. "On the shield" - it means that the way will bring you dead better than you run from the battlefield and return in disgrace.

Conclusion
The Spartans deliberately introduced a despotism that deprived the individual of freedom and initiative and destroyed the influence of the family. However, the Spartan way of life greatly impressed Plato, who incorporated many of its militaristic, totalitarian and communist features into his ideal state.

The upbringing of the younger generation was considered in Sparta a matter of state importance and a direct task of the state.

In essence, Sparta was a rather backward agrarian state, which not only did not care about the development of its productive forces, but, paradoxically, moreover, saw its goal as every kind of obstruction. Trade and handicrafts were considered here to dishonor the citizen; only newcomers (perieks) could do this, and even then on a relatively limited scale.

However, the backwardness of Sparta is not only in the structure of its economy. In essence, the remnants of the tribal organization of society are still very strong here, the polis principle is manifested weakly, and not in last it is this circumstance that prevents her from uniting Greece. However, the remnants of the tribal organization, and the weakness of the polis principle are imposed on strict ideological restrictions. The ancient polis rigidly links its ideas of freedom, among other things, also with complete economic independence. It's just that in Sparta, as, perhaps, in no other Greek state, both the general backwardness and the desire for absolute economic self-sufficiency manifested themselves in the most sharp and contrasting form.

It is not for nothing that Sparta is considered the strangest state of Ancient Hellas: this reputation was firmly entrenched in it even among the ancient Greeks. Some looked at the Spartan state with undisguised admiration, while others branded the order that reigned in it, considering them bad and even immoral. And, nevertheless, it was Sparta, militarized, closed and law-abiding, who became the model ideal state, invented by Plato, a native of the eternal rival of Sparta - democratic Athens.

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