Training Flashcards
At what age did Spartans boys enter the Initial phase of training?
7-early teens
How were Spartan boys split up in the Initial Phase?
- Put into ‘packs’ with boys of a similar age
- Led by boys in their late teens called prefects
What would the Spartan prefects do?
- Supervise the boys at all times
- Whip boys for any misbehaviour
What was taught in the Initial Phase?
- Very little reading or writing
- No philosophy
- Emphasis on physical excellence and unquestioning obedience
- Music and dancing to develop precision and teamwork
What were boys encouraged to do in the Initial Phase?
Fight one another to toughen up and encourage competitiveness
How old were Spartans in the Second Phase of the Agoge?
Early to late teens
How were Spartan boys toughened in the Second phase?
- Could only walk around barefoot
- Trained naked
How did Spartan boys learn to do without luxuries in the Second Phase?
- Only given one cloak to last the whole year
- Had to build their own beds from reeds they collected themselves, without the use of knives
How much food would Spartans get in the Second phase and what were they encouraged to do?
- very little food to ensure they could survive on harsh rations on campaigns
- They were encouraged to steal more for themselves but would be punished if caught
How were boys in the second phase kept unrebellious?
- Told to cut their hair short
- Stayed silent in public
- Kept their eyes on the ground as a sign of respect for elders
What would a mentor do
Lover and mentor
- There would be competition amongst men to mentor the strongest boys
What was the final phase of the Agoge called?
Krypteia
What would members of the Kyrpteia do?
- Go on solo missions into the countryside and murder any helots they found
- Watch helots as they worked and killed any who seemed too strong or influential
Did Athens have military training?
No formal training
- But citizens were expected to serve until the age of 60, so families may have ensured their sons had some sort of training
What evidence is there for physical training in Athens?
- Middle class Athenians would fight using the Phalanx, which required cooperation, endurance and synchronicity
- An Athenian boy’ education would usually include physical education
- Athletic training and competitions may have served as battle preparation
What evidence is there that Athenians didn’t train for battle?
- Most Athenian men had to work, so wouldn’t have had much time
What training would the Athenian navy have?
- Training took place over a couple of days for rowers to practice rowing, steering and timing
How much training would a Roman recruit undertake?
- 4 months of basic training before being enrolled
- Training would the continue for the next 25 years
What was a core part of Roman training and why was it important?
- Marching drills
- Important as soldiers needed to be able to march long distances with heavy packs on campaign
How far would a Roman soldier be expected to march?
20 miles in 5 hours with a full pack
How would Roman soldiers improve their fitness?
Swimming
Running
Jumping and riding horses
What did Roman weapon training involve?
- Fighting practice against a scarecrow
- A heavy wicker shield and wooden sword meant no-one was hurt and built up strength
- They’d also practice throwing their pilum at the scarecrow
What else would Romans train in?
- Dismounting and mounting in full armour
- Shield training
- How to build camps, roads and forts
What happened when a Roman recruit reached his Legionary Fortress?
- He took the military oath
- Promised to follow the Emperor’s orders and never desert or flee
How would Romans be punished for breaking their military oath?
- Fines or reduction of food ration
- Flogging in front of their century or legion
- Demotion or being given extra duties
- Execution
What was the harshest Roman punishment?
Decimation
- Normally only used if the legion attempted to mutiny or displayed unacceptable cowardice
- Groups were split into ten men and then draw lots- who ever lost would be beaten to death by the other nine
