Education and Values in Sparta Flashcards
What was the purpose of the agoge?
To produce young men who would be loyal and brave warriors and, as modern scholars argue, who would have the full range of qualities and virtues needed to fulfil their lives as citizens.
When did the agoge system begin in a Spartan’s life? and what was the first process?
It began as soon as the child was born - they would be inspected for any defects and those who did not come up to the mark were left to die (Plutarch, Lycurgus 16.1).
When did boys live till the age of 7? where did they move after?
At home until 7 years old where they would then be placed in a communal barracks where they had to sleep every night until they were thirty (even if married).
What happened when boys turned 14?
Life became much harsher; there were restrictions of what they could wear, exercised naked, kept short of food, and encouraged to steal (but were whipped if caught).
What was the content of this later education and what age did it finish?
The later education lasted from 14-19 years old, and was simple. It consisted of elementary reading and writing, physical exercise in various forms. They had musical training, probably the flute and lyre, and also learnt to dance and poetry (Plutarch, Lycurgus 21).
How were these activities organised and conducted?
Within teams or communally, rather than encouraging individuality.
What ordeal do both Plutarch and Xenophon mention in Spartan upbringing?
An ordeal at the sanctuary of Artemis Orthia, on the eastern border of Sparta. The goal was to steal as many cheeses from the altar as possible without getting caught; aiming to test their speed, cunning, and agility. Pausanias (c. AD 110-180) implies that the boys were simply beaten in his time, with no mention of the cheeses.
What was the intention behind teaching dancing and music?
Intended to assist military manouevres (Plutarch, Lycurgus 22.3)
What was the most famous Spartan dancing festival? what happened there?
Gymnopaidia in which teams of men competed in a dancing competition. It took place in the middle of summer, so must also have been another trial of endurance. Foreigners went to Sparta to witness this festival; Spartans were renowned for their dancing (Aristophanes).
What happened when boys turned 20? Who was in charge of the entire system?
Might be chosen as eirenes, whose role was to enforce discipline over the younger boys, they also carried whips. In charge of the whole system was an official called the paidonomos, who could inflict punishments on the boys at any time, as could any Spartan . Additionally once twenty, boys were considered adults and were expected to fight, but training still continued.
Xenophon mentions another way by which young men were encouraged to maintain their fitness and compete with one another, what was it?
The ephors would start by selecting three outstanding members of the year group who are designated hippagretai (guard commanders). Each of these three selects a hundred others, openly stating their reasoning for picking and rejecting. As a result, those who fail to win the honour of selection became enemies of those who rejected them and bitter rivals of those who were chosen in their stead. They all kept an eye on each other to see if any of them offends the established code of honour. This arrangement ensured that everyone took pains to remain physically fit, because whenever they would meet each other they would break out into fights.
What were these three-hundred most likely?
Probably the elite army unit known as the Hippeis.
What was the Krypteia?
It means secret or hidden service, and there is much disagreement about this. And it may not have been an official part of the agoge for all Spartans. Krypteia was, supposedly a secret institution in which a select group of young Spartans were sent out only equipped with daggers; one of their roles was to kill potentially troublesome helots.
What happened in Spartan education that was different from most Greek states? what was the reason for this?
Education of women, women were expected to exercise. According to Plutarch, Lycurgus thought that women with strong bodies would produce strong, healthy babies. He therefore had them wrestle and throw javelin and discus. Xenophon says much the same. Additionally girls also had their own choral dancing competitions.
What clothing did Spartan girls wear when exercising?
Xenophon nor Plutarch mention that they exercised naked like the men. However, the term ‘thigh-flashers’, first used by sixth-century BC poet Ibycus, described Spartan girls as wearing a type of slit gym-slip. This is additionally supported by a series of sixth-century bronze statuettes of girls running in some sort of garment.
