What Caused the Downfall of Sparta?
In about 100 BC, the Dorians invaded Greece from the North. During the Dark Ages, the Dorians made their way south, capturing the inhabitants of the lands they passed through as helots. At the beginning of the Dark Ages, it is thought that there were many Dorian settlements in Laconia, each with their own helot population. At some time during the Dark Ages, Sparta overtook these fellow Dorian settlements and their helot populations, as well as control of the whole of Laconia. The Spartans kept the helots as a huge, strong slave race and, although they did not enslave their fellow Dorians, the other Dorians were made perioci, meaning "those who live round about". The perioci were needed to be the craftsmen, tradesmen and manufacturers for the Spartans, who were trained as full time soldiers.At the end of the Dark Ages, there was nothing exceptional about Sparta (except her control of the helot population) but from about the middle of the 6th Century BC, Sparta gradually turned away from the rest of Greece. They no longer welcomed visitors, cut their trade ties, stopped building ships and when the rest of Greece began using coins instead of iron spits, Sparta continued to use the spits. Sparta still had poetry and music, but inste
It is believed that the Eirens were very cruel, as they carried whips to punish the boys. As well as declaring war on the helots, the Spartans would select some helots to be beaten publicly, and it is said that any helot who seemed particularly strong was killed, just to ensure that he did not lead a rebellion. With the Theban army facing them across the Eurotas, the Spartans armed 6,000 Helots and promised them their freedom if they fought well1. Although Lysander was recalled to Sparta, it was found that he had been smuggling riches into the city of Sparta itself, and it is thought that this happened in many other cases. ad of listening to new poems and songs, they learned only the compositions of the past, and new poets and musicians were not welcomed. But Sparta only just survived the war. They boys learned how to look after them, get on together, take orders and share responsibilities. When the boys turned 12, they began their advanced training. The final blow for Sparta came with the battle of Leuctra in 371 BC, when the Theban army, lead by Epaminondas, marched into the city of Sparta itself. During their education, boys would only play team sports, and compete in music and poetry competitions only in groups. A Spartan Boy's education as a soldier began when the boy was about 7 or 8 years old. The only way Sparta could have benefited from the inclusion of helots in their forces would have been if the helots were trained as soldiers like the Spartans, but this would have meant that there was no-one to farm for the soldiers. The Paidonomos were helped by the Eirens - boys over 18 who had the right to give orders and punish the boys. If the boys were caught stealing, however, they would be publicly whipped and given even less food. The Spartans were raised and educated to be perfectly obedient and obey the state without question.
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