Education Flashcards
How was it decided whether a baby was strong enough to belong?
They were inspected by a committee of elders.
What happened to a baby if it was declared too weak?
Left bare and exposed on Mount Tygetus.- apothetae ‘the place of rejection’
What happened to a baby when it was declared strong enough? (3)
Bathed in wine (killed the weak & hardened the healthy).
Ate what they were given (or starved).
Left in darkness- crying ignored.
What was the age range of boys in the first stage of the agoge?
Between 7-14 years old.
Name of headmaster at agoge?
Paidonomous.
Age range of Eirenes?
19-20 year old graduates.
Job at agoge that wasn’t Eirene, and what did they do?
Pack leaders, who took their agelia out into wilderness for 5-6 months to learn to live in harsh conditions with little food.
Name of the groups of boys at agog?
Agelias/ platoons.
What was the job of the krypteia?
Secret police of elite warriors who would infiltrate helot houses and villages pretending to be helots. They would then gain the trust of helots so that the helots would be willing to say something traitorous against the state/ spartiates. These disloyal helots would be killed, and so could their families. All part of the initiative to keep the helots in check, prevent a revolution, and keep the spartiates in power.
Was education public or private?
Private, you had to pay to go to the agoge if you were a boy, and pay for a tutor if you were a girl.
Two main things you learnt at the agoge?
How to be in the military (toughened up)
How to bond (to be best at fighting in military)
Where did boys of the agoge sometimes serve, and what happened?
Sysistions, where they were ridiculed by members to toughen them up. Some thigh time was also likely.
Why were spartiates only taught basic literacy (no literature and philosophy)?
A good grasp of literacy would have given them power, which could have prevented them from conforming to the state (who chose the curriculum). However, they needed some literacy skills in order to send notes when in battle etc.
Which two traits were essential for a Spartan warrior to learn?
Strength and obedience (so conformed to state,+ a bond with their fellow warriors)
How was music included in Spartan education?
To help synchronise movement in battle, thus furthering teamwork skills. Also patriotic battle songs, to make soldiers in mood for fight and institutionalise them into being loyal to the state.
What would happen if boys were really badly behaved at the agoge?
They would fight other boys to the death.
What was the syllabus (+ other details on life) for students of the agoge aged between 14-18? (7)
At 14 sent on wilderness course for 5-6 months.
1 cloak per year.
Hair short- grown from when it was first shaved.
Played naked.
Food rationed- ready for food shortages on campaigns
Encouraged to steal but punished if caught
Death for some :/.
Allowed to bath and use lotions only a few times a year.
Expected to have an older lover, mentor and educator, who was fined if their boy cried out in pain curing a fight.
What was the syllabus (/ other details on life) for students of the agoge aged between 7-14?
Lived in communal barracks (agelias)- in competition with each other.
Had an Eirene who was in charge of their agelias.
Heads shaved.
Given one set of basic clothing that was changed once a year for an identical set.
Taught basic reading.
Taught basic writing.
Singing competitions.
Sporting competitions.
Combat competitions.
Stealing cheeses from the altar of Artemis Orthia while being whipped by eirenes.
What about boys who wanted to got to the agoge but weren’t from Sparta?
Could still go, but had to be invited, and had to pay.
Were people keen to send their children to the agog?
Yes, it was seen as an honour to go to the agoge, as it was a school renowned for producing the finest armies and warriors.
Were people keen to send their children to the agog?
Yes, it was seen as an honour to go to the agoge, as it was a school renowned for producing the finest armies and warriors.
An important reason to do with politics that people wanted to go to the agoge?
ONLY WAY TO BECOME A SPARTIATE!
But really, why bother with choral competitions?
TO ENCOURAGE COMPETITIVENESS! Need to be competitive to fight well, duh.
What military characteristics did stealing develop?
- Guile
- Stealth
- Resistance to deprivation
