Spartan Education

Question 1

What happened to all babies after they were born?

Answer 1

They were inspected by a council of elders to check if they were strong or weak.

Question 2

What would happen to weak babies?

Answer 2

They would be exposed on Mount Taygetus, where they would be killed

Question 3

What would happen to babies that were not exposed?

Answer 3

They would be left bare and bathed in wine. They would eat what they were given and left in darkness to toughen them up.

Question 4

From what ages would boys go to the agoge?

Answer 4

At age 7-18. Their family would have to pay.

Question 5

Where did the boys in the agoge sleep?

Answer 5

In communal barracks, which would be very harsh. This was to toughen them up.

Question 6

Who would supervise the boys in the agoge?

Answer 6

• Prefects, or eirenes, who were 19-20 year old graduates, who would be armed with whips.
• A headteacher, the paidonomous, a Spartan warrior.

Question 7

What were boys in the agoge taught?

Answer 7

• Basic literacy
• Physical strength
• Obedience
• Music, for teamwork and movement in battle
• Conformity

Question 8

What did boys in the agoge wear?

Answer 8

They wore one cloak, had their hair shaved short and were barefoot at all times.

Question 9

Why was food rationed in the agoge?

Answer 9

Many were hungry, and it encouraged the boys to steal. If they were caught stealing, they would be beaten for having been caught. This prepared them to become Spartan warriors.

Question 10

What happened when boys were beaten?

Answer 10

They would be tied to a post and beaten until they fell to their knees. This was perceived as weakness, so they would have to stand for as long as possible. Some stood so long they were killed.

Question 11

What happened between ages 18 and 19?

Answer 11

They could become eirenes, or packleaders.
Their eyes were constantly down while walking in public, because they had to respect their elders or they were flogged.
The best would be enlisted in the krypteia.

Question 12

Who were the krypteia?

Answer 12

The secret police, who would be sent to live in the countryside with minimal rations.
They killed helots to keep them under control, and became efficient killers.
They hid in the day and patrolled at night.
They terrorised helots as an incentive for others to behave.