geographical setting, natural features and resources of ancient Sparta – significant sites: Sparta Flashcards
Where was Sparta located?
Sparta was located in the Peloponnese Peninsula, separated from central Greece by the Isthmus of Corinth.
What surrounds the Peloponnese Peninsula?
The Peloponnese Peninsula is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea.
What are the three important regions in the Peloponnese Peninsula?
The three important regions are Laconia, Messina, and Arcadia.
What river is Sparta situated on?
Sparta is situated on the Eurotas river.
What type of political entity was Sparta?
Sparta was a POLIS, or city-state.
How many villages did Sparta have?
Sparta had 5 villages: 4 along the Eurotas river and 1 located 5 km to the south (Amiclay).
What type of land surrounded Sparta?
Sparta was a fertile plain surrounded by mountains, including Mt Taygetus.
What was a significant part of Sparta’s diet?
Their diet included a lot of seafood from the port of Gytheum, located 42 km from Sparta.
What natural resources were found in Sparta?
Sparta had stones like porphyry and marble, as well as clay, iron, and lead.
What crops were grown in Sparta?
Crops included grapes, figs, vines, barley, and wheat.
What animals were raised in Sparta?
Sparta raised sheep, goats, and pigs for meat, wool, and dairy.
What was a notable dish made from pigs in Sparta?
A notable dish was ‘Black Broth,’ made using pig’s blood.
What geographical feature contributed to Sparta’s richness?
Sparta was on a rich alluvial plain due to the Eurotas river.
What was the Acropolis in Sparta?
The Acropolis was the town center of Sparta, a mound where public meetings occurred.
How was Sparta’s layout described?
Sparta was quite rural, spread amongst 5 villages.
What were important meeting spots in Sparta?
Temples and shrines were the most important meeting spots.
How did a modern historian describe Sparta?
To the ordinary Greek, the town looked more like a cluster of rural villages than a city.
Fitzhardinge (Modern Historian)
