Survey Flashcards
Geographical setting, natural features and resources of ancient Sparta.
Located upon the Peloponnese peninsula in a region called known as Laconia (Very bottom of Peloponnese to its West is Messenia.)
Two mountain ranges protecting Sparta the Taygetus (West) and Parnon (East)
-> Strabo “Difficult of access for enemies” Isolation + protection of Spartan society
-> Taygetus forests provided timber and sources of copper (Strabo)
Natural harbour at Gytheion.
-> Provided fish and seafood + murex mollusk highly valuable purple dye
Eurotas and Pamisos river supplied fresh water to four of Sparta’s oringinal five villages.
-> One village called Mesoa
Significant sites: Sparta
No built acropolis - Arcadnian hills in the city, one named the acropolis.
-> Base of the acropolis was a market and where meetings were held.
North-East of Sparta is the Sancturary of Artemis Orthia:
-> Used as temples and site of the cult of Apolo
Temple of Athena Chalkiokos/bronze house
-> Home to cult of Athena Chalkiokos + interior constructed out of bronze sheets.
