Spartan Military
I chose to do my final project on the military tactics, techniques, requirements, and lifestyle of the ancient Greek city-state of Sparta. When we discussed this topic in class, I was very interested in how much emphasis the Spartans put on the military. I wanted to learn more about this subject and also answer some of my own questions I had that we may not have covered in class. The word Sparta actually has two separate meanings, which contradict each other. The first meaning of the word is bravery, and the second is barren. I interpret the second meaning in the way that, the Spartan lifestyle was barren in that they focused solely on their military and not on all the other pleasures of life. The city-state of Sparta was located on the Peloponnesus, a peninsula just southwest of its rival state, Athens. Spartans looked at themselves as military powerhouses and all their discipline, from birth to adulthood, was directed toward war. Any child that was born with a deformity, mental illness, or that was physically handicapped was killed. Children first began military training at the age of seven. These boys were organized into small groups and those who were the most courageous were made captains. The boys slept in dormi . . .
It is said that a Spartan boy, who had stolen a fox for his dinner, would rather allow the fox to knaw on his flesh underneath his cloak than betray himself by crying out. The Spartan constitution is said to have been founded by Lycurgus in the 9th century BC. The others behind them had the duty of reinforcement or followers. Each individual soldier was inspired by the motto of “win or die. These boys were taught that retreat or surrender in battle was disgraceful and dishonorable. Lycurgus’ law required all Spartan soldiers to practice gymnastic exercises so as to increase pride in themselves and to stay loose and ready for battle at all times. ” After all soldiers had been fed, a period of relaxation and free time was given, after which the order to “eat the evening meal” was given. It was under the harsh discipline of these laws that the Spartans extended their conquests over neighboring states until it gained control of most of the Peloponnesus. tories on hard beds, and ate black broth and porridge. The boys were allowed to steal food to satisfy their hunger, but if they were caught they would be whipped. Although the men were allowed to marry, they had to eat and sleep in the public barracks. Spartan soldiers were a living example of such qualities as duty, discipline, loyalty, sacrificing of an individual for the good of his state, and the nobility to die in battle for one’s state. ” A Spartan mother, when she gave her son his shield would say to him, “bring back this shield yourself or be brought back upon it”, referring to the way that fallen soldiers were carried from the battlefield on their shields. The highest rank men were positioned in the front of the line, and had the duty of leaders. The city itself was destroyed by the Goths, under their king, Alaric I in 396 AD.
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