Sparta Flashcards
Why was the Hyakinthia held?
To honour Hykinthinthos’ death by a discus hit in the head from Apollo
When and how many days was the Hykinthia held?
3 days in Summer
What were the 2 stages of the Hyakinthia?
1) Day or ritual defilement and grief
2) Processions, chariot races, dances, feasts and sacrifices
Where was the Hyakinthia held?
The shrine of Amaklaion in Amyclae
Name a highlight of the Hyakinthia
Choir boys played flutes/lyres and sang to the gods
Where was the Gymnopaedia held?
Spartan agora
When and for how many days was the Gymnopaedia held?
5 days, in July the hottest part of the year
Why was the Gymnopaedia held?
In honour of the slain at the battle of Thyrea 550BC
Who could partake in the Gymnopaedia?
Young and old men, however older men (over 30) were prohibited if they were unmarried
What were the main events of the Gymnopaedia?
A grande parade at the end. And the festival was translated to “naked sports” event.
Why was the Karneia festival celebrated?
Celebration of the foundation of Sparta and various military events
When and for how many days was the Karneia celebrated?
9 days, August/September
Where did the Karneia festival get it’s name from?
Apollo Karneios, God of the herd/ram
What were the 2 main rituals for the Karneia Festival?
1) procession of model rafts
2) runner adorned with a garland on his head, prayed to the gods then ran away. If caught the omens where good, if not they were bad.
What was held at the Karneia festival?
Feasts held under tents, athletic contests/games (related to agoge)
Who is Artemis Orthia?
Artemis: Sauternes of Zeus, twin to Apollo, goddess of fertility/childbirth, protector of women/children and associated with forests (“protector of the wild”)
Orthia: earlier Soartan goddess, not much was known
Combining the two: goddess of the hunt and wild animals
Where was the sanctuary of Artemis Orthia?
Near the Eurotas river, centre of Sparta
What ritual took place at the Artemis Orthia?
Young Spartan boys tried to steal cheese from the goddess’ altar as older boys defended it and whipped the younger boys.
The goddess wasn’t satisfied until the altar was soaked in the blood of the cheese thieves - Pausanias
Who is Apollo?
Traditionally God of the sky but came to be recognised as God of music, light, truth and health. Also an archer/warrior God
Which festivals were held in honour of Apollo as a young man and why?
Hyakinthia and Gymnopaedia, Sparta was obsessed with youth
Where was the sanctuary of Apollo Hyakinthia?
On the hill in Amyclae called Amyclaion
Name 3 historical sources on Sparta
Pausanias, Herodotus, Plato, Xenophon, Aroistotle, Thucydides, Plutarch
Name 3 modern sources on Sparta
D.H Kelly, Bettany Hughes, Donald Kagan, Paul Cartledge, Chester Starr
Name two Spartan poets and what they wrote about
Tyraetus: military
Alcman: social life/love
What is Kleros/Kleroi
Plot of public land/estate
Define Zamos
Food/staple diet (e.g pigs blood soup)
Define Agoge
Spartan military education system
What were the three distinct social classes?
Helots, Perioicoi, Soartiates
Where were Spartans buried and why?
Inside the city, to not fear death and stop superstition
Define Kryptia
Secret police
Where did the Helots originate?
Messenia
Define bibasis
Exercise performed by women (“rump Jump”)
Name 3 Spartan kings
Theopompus, Themistocles, Pausanius
According to Plutarch, what was the process of marriage?
Kidnap wife, shave her head, marry in the dark
How much land did women own according to Aristotle
2/5ths
When a woman married who did they make sacrifices to?
Aphrodite and Hera
When could Spartans be buried under a tomb stone?
Men: die in war
Women: die through childbirth
Why did the Spartans not “march with all their troops at their disposal” (Herodotus) to Marathon?
Because they believed the festival of Karneia was more important
Where was the sanctuary of Apollo?
Delphi
Who was worshipped in the temple of Menelaion?
Menelaus and Helen
How many kings did Sparta have?
2 from the Agiad and Eurypontids
Define Ephor
Magistrate, 5 in Sparta
How were Ephors and Gerousia elected?
Acclamation
Define Hoplon
Shield
What was the name of the hopolite formation Sparta used in battles?
Phalanx
What was sacrificed by the kings on a day of a battle?
A goat
If disaster struck Sparta who was responsible?
The Kings as they were accountable for the god’s emotions
Who consulted to the Kings at the Oracle of Delphi
4 pithioi who spoke for Apollo
Who conducted funerary operations?
Female relatives (lay out body, funeral or cession and burial)
How many days for mourning a death?
11, 12th day sacrifice given to Demeter
What were the three main religious festivals?
Karneia, Hyakinthia and Gymnnopaedia
Who was Lycurgus?
1) A God as described by the Oracle of Delphi, worshipped by Spartans.
2) “Possibly a mythological figure” - W.G. Forrest.
3) According to Xenophon and Plutarch Lycurgus created the Great Rhetra, the Agoge and Austerity.
4) he “refined what already existed” - W.G Forrest.
What was The Great Rhetra?
A document of Spartan constitution from the oracle of Delphi
Define Lesche
When the Ephors tested on babies
Define Gerousia
A council of elders that help prepare a proposal
Name the 4 inferiors and define them
Partheniai: children of unmarried
Neomodes:
Tresantes: cowards
Mothoces:
What leisure activities did Spartans participate in?
1) According to Xenephon and Plutarch, and inscription on vases; hunting and the playing of music at competitions in religious festivals
2) According to Alcman’s poetry; banquets (wine and dining).
3) Chariot/horse racing (Xenephon/Herodotus).
How was the Gerousia elected?
Voted by Assembly through acclamation (i.e. Apella), loudness was recorded by men locked up who didn’t know order.
What were the steps of a proposal becoming a law?
1) Gerousia prepare and deliberate on a proposal.
2) Ephors present bill to Assembly.
3) Assembly vote by acclamation.
4) Gerontes and Ephors meet to discuss and amend law if assembly is unhappy.
5) Gerousia and Ephors go back to Assembly for vote.
6) Gerousia either ratify or dismiss Assembly’s decision.
How can you apply for a Spartan citizenship?
According to Plutarch; each member threw bread into a bowl (koddichos), round ball meant yes, flat was no.
Define Perioeci
Chief contribution to Spartan economy.
Adult men Perioeci served as hopolite a beside Spartiates.
Who were helots owned by?
The state and they were a threat to Sparta as they were the majority.
How long were Spartans liable for military service?
Ages 18-60
Who’s shrine was located in Delphi?
Apollo
Name three temples in Sparta?
The Temple Artemis Orthia, the temple of Menelaion and The Temple of Athena
What is the Perioeci?
The middle level class in Spartan hierarchy that were responsible for farming and crafting. This class comprised of craftsmen, artisans and farmers, with a major percentage of them being the descendants of people who got conquered by the Spartans. Required to pay taxes, no political rights.
What is the order of ancient Spartan hierarchy?
1) kings and the council of elders
2) aristocrats
3) Perieoci
4) helots
