Changes

The idea of ancient Spartan heroism has been depicted so often in modern fiction that scholars have coined the term “Spartan Mirage” to refer to what they see as an exaggerated idealization of ancient Spartan culture that borders on mythologization. Films such as 300 routinely show the Spartans as the best trained, bravest, and most capable of all the Greeks, and for the most part , until the Spartans lost in the Battle of Leuctra in 371 BC , that idea was not far from reality. Despite being outnumbered, the Spartans usually won the day and were vital to the Hellenic League’s victory in the Persian Wars (499-479 BC). The secret behind the Spartans’ martial success was their unique form of education known as the <i>agoge</i>.

The agoge was the extreme form of education that all Spartan boys embarked on at the age of seven and continued until they reached the age of thirty, or they died. Along with physical education and standard academic curriculum, the agoge was critical to teach boys how to think and act like proper Spartans who would be willing at any time to die for the state. The agoge taught Spartan boys the values of conformity and unity, courage, patriotism, martial prowess, guile, and brutality. Once Spartan boys completed their training in the agoge, they had to serve the state in all military campaigns but were also free to marry, start families, and own land.

In order to To understand what the agoge was and its importance to ancient Spartan society, one must first understand the nature of a society that would create such an institution. Ancient historians believed that the process whereby Sparta evolved from a standard Greek city-state into the militaristic state for which it became known took place under the direction of the legendary lawgiver, Lycurgus, sometime in the ninth or eight eighth century BC. Although modern historians do not necessarily deny the existence of Lycurgus, most believe that Sparta’s transformation into a military state gradually took place over a long period, but was probably stimulated by the Second Messenian War (650-620 BC). <ref> Knottnerus, J. David, and Phyllis E. Berry. “Spartan Society: Structural Ritualization in an Ancient Social System.” <i>Humboldt Journal of Social Relations</i> 27 (2002) p. 2</ref>

Many classical authors wrote about the infamous Spartan lifestyle and ideologyAlthough modern historians do not necessarily deny Lycurgus's existence, with few more detailed than most believe that Sparta’s transformation into a military state gradually took place over a long period but was probably stimulated by the first century Second Messenian War (650-620 BC Greek biographer, Plutarch). In his <i>Lives</iref>Knottnerus, Plutarch compared and contrasted a number of Spartan leaders, including LycurgusJ. David, with other Greek and Roman leadersPhyllis E. Plutarch painted a picture of life Berry. “Spartan Society: Structural Ritualization in classical Sparta as very austere, where the men ate communally, a form of iron currency replaced gold and silver coins, and land was distributed equally among the male citizens, who were known as <i>Spartiates</i>. <ref> Plutarchan Ancient Social System. ” <i> On Sparta.Humboldt Journal of Social Relations</i> Translated by Richard J. A. Talbert. 27 (London: Penguin Books, 20042002), Lycurgus, VII-VIII p. 2</ref> The practices were meant to reinforce the idea that all Spartiates were equals and to foster a sense of unity among the men. The policies were certainly unique among the Greek city-states, but they were not the only types of social engineering the Spartans practiced that separated them from the other Greeks.

The Spartans viewed sexMany classical authors wrote about the infamous Spartan lifestyle and ideology, marriagewith few more detailed than the first century BC Greek biographer, Plutarch. In his <i>Lives</i>, Plutarch compared and procreation in a very antisepticcontrasted several Spartan leaders, utilitarian fashionincluding Lycurgus, much with other Greek and Roman leaders. Plutarch painted a picture of life in classical Sparta as they did everythingvery austere. Spartan The men forcefully “captured” Spartan women in their primeate communally, beginning a long process form of courting iron currency replaced gold and silver coins, and marriage that would only result in cohabitation much later in the relationship. “Love” in the modern sense of the word land was probably one of distributed equally among the last factors that determined the pairings of Spartan couples or the duration of their relationships; men who were past their sexual andmale citizens, known as <i>Spartiates</or physical prime were said to encourage their wives to have relationships with younger men in order to produce more Spartan childreni>. <ref> Scott, Andrew GPlutarch. “Plural Marriage and the Spartan State.” <i>Historia: Zeitschrift für Alte GeschichteOn Sparta.</i> 60 Translated by Richard J. A. Talbert. (2011London: Penguin Books, 2004) p. 419, Lycurgus, VII-VIII </ref>The practices were meant to reinforce the idea that all Spartiates were equals and foster a sense of unity among the men. The policies were certainly unique among the Greek city-states, but they were not the only types of social engineering the Spartans practiced that separated them from the other Greeks.

There is little doubt that the entire purpose of The Spartans viewed sex, marriage , and procreation in Sparta a very antiseptic, utilitarian fashion, much as they did everything. Spartan men forcefully “captured” Spartan women in their prime, beginning a long courting and marriage process that would only result in cohabitation much later in the relationship. “Love” in the modern sense of the word was to produce boy who would become warriors for probably one of the last factors that determined the city’s vaunted army, pairings of Spartan couples or girls the duration of their relationships; men who would give birth were past their sexual and/or physical prime were said to encourage their wives to have relationships with younger men to warriorsproduce more Spartan children. According to Plutarch<ref> Scott, Andrew G. “Plural Marriage and the Spartan state engaged in an early eugenics programState.” <i>Historia: Zeitschrift für Alte Geschichte</i> 60 (2011) p.419</ref>

“First There is little doubt that the entire purpose of marriage and foremost Lycurgus considered children procreation in Sparta was to belong not privately produce boys who would become warriors for the city’s vaunted army or girls who would give birth to their fathers, but jointly warriors. According to the city, so that he wanted citizens produced not from random partnersPlutarch, but from the bestSpartan state engaged in an early eugenics program.” <ref> Plutarch, Lycurgus, XV</ref>

In order “First and foremost, Lycurgus considered children to entice Spartan men belong not privately to have many childrentheir fathers, especially malesbut jointly to the city, Spartiates who so that he wanted citizens produced three sons were exempt not from random partners, but the constant and often onerous military service and those with four sons were exempt from taxes. On the other hand, there were penalties against bachelorhood, which left few Spartan men unmarried and without childrenbest. ” <ref> ScottPlutarch, Lycurgus, p. 421; 416XV</ref>

The Spartans’ unique attitude towards marriage To entice Spartan men to have many children, especially males, Spartiates who produced three sons were exempt from the constant and procreation was built upon the philosophy that the state was supreme often onerous military service, and that it attained that supremacy through warfare. All Spartiates those with four sons were full-time soldiers, so in order to feed themselves they enslaved neighboring Greeks known as Helotsexempt from taxes. Although On the Helots numbered as many as 150other hand,000 to the five to eight thousand Spartiatesthere were penalties against bachelorhood, which left a combination of the Spartans training few Spartan men unmarried and a system of brutal repression kept revolts to a minimumwithout children. <ref> Knottnerus and BerryScott, p. 4421; 416</ref> Once Spartan children were born, the training immediately began that reinforced the Spartan social system.

Small The Spartans’ unique attitude towards marriage and disabled children procreation was built upon the philosophy that the state was supreme and attained that supremacy through warfare. All Spartiates were exposed full-time soldiers, so to feed themselves, they enslaved neighboring Greeks known as Helots. Although the Helots numbered as many as 150,000 to the elementsfive to eight thousand Spartiates, a combination of the Spartans' training and infants were hardened physical and mentally by not being given swaddling clothes and being left alone a system of brutal repression kept revolts to cry, among other toughening tacticsa minimum. <ref> PlutarchKnottnerus and Berry, Lycurgus, XVIp. 4</ref> According to Plutarch, even Once Spartan girls children were given a crash course education in physical born, the trainingimmediately began that reinforced the Spartan social system.

Small and disabled children were exposed to the elements, and infants were hardened physically and mentally by not being given swaddling clothes and being left alone to cry, among other toughening tactics. <ref> Plutarch, Lycurgus, XVI</ref> According to Plutarch, even Spartan girls were given a crash course education in physical training. “Lycurgus, rather, showed all possible concern for them too. First , he toughened the girls physically by making them run and wrestle and throw the discus and javelin.” <ref> Plutarch, Lycurgus, XIV</ref>

When Spartan boys reached the age of seven, they were taken from their families and forced to live communally with other boys their age while they were educated in the agoge. Although the agoge included traditional classes on writing and rhetoric, its emphasis was clearly on combat, physical fitness, and violence in general. For the first few years of their training, the boys were given older mentors and introduced to a life of austerity, but when they reached the age of twelve , the training really began.

Once boys in the agoge reached the age of twelve, they were only allowed to possess one cloak per year and were not allowed to use bathing oils. Although these restrictions may not seem very severe, they were meant to prepare the boys for the their training's much more brutal aspects of their training. Along with courage and physical prowess, guile was valued as one of the most important traits a Spartan warrior could possess. Boys in the agoge were taught to steal in order to survive.

The punishments the boys suffered was were not due to them being thieves, though, but was instead because they were <i>caught</i>. Spartan boys were subjected to a constant barrage of physical and mental brutality that was determined to weed out the week and strengthen those who survived. The mentors and older boys regularly instigated brawls between the young boys in the agoge. “Moreover as they exercised boys were constantly watched by their elders, who were always spurring them on to fight and contend with one another: in this, their chief object was to get to know each boy’s character, in particular, how bold he was, and how far he was likely to stand his ground in combat.” <ref>Plutarch, Lycurgus, XVIII</ref> Injuries were probably quite common in the agoge, and death also came with the territory. Plutarch claimed that many Spartan boys died from “the lashes they received at the altar of Artemis Orthia.” <ref> Ibid.</ref>

“Moreover ====Setting the Tone for Spartan Society====In summary, the agoge can be described as they exercised ancient Sparta’s ruthless educational system for boys. Still, it was so much more than that as it provided the backbone of Spartan society. Once the boys were constantly watched by their elderslearned the proper fighting techniques, who were always spurring them on to fight and contend with one another: in this their chief object was to get to know each boy’s charactermore importantly, the ideas of austerity, unity, patriotism, in particular how bold he wascourage, and how far he was likely to stand his ground in combatguile, they would begin transitioning out of the school at about twenty.” <ref>Plutarch, Lycurugs, XVIII</ref>

Injuries were probably quite common When most boys reached twenty, they would meet members of their future <i>syssitia</i> – messmates and those they fought alongside – whom they would officially join at the age of thirty. <ref> Knotterus and Berry, p. 20</ref> The agoge gradually declined in importance as the Spartans’ numbers declined, but it was briefly revived under Cleomenes III (ruled 235-222 BC), who perhaps somewhat ironically began accepting Helots into the agoge school and death also came with the territoryeventually as full Spartiates. <ref> Cawkwell, G. L. Plutarch claimed that many Spartan boys died from “the lashes they received at the altar “The Decline of Artemis OrathiaSparta.” <refi>Classical Quarterly</i> Ibid33 (1983) p.392</ref>

===Setting the Tone for Spartan Society=Conclusion====In summaryToday, the agoge can be described as ancient Sparta’s very brutal educational system for boys, but it was so much more than that Spartans are rightfully viewed as it provided the backbone of Spartan society. Once most accomplished warriors in the boys learned the proper fighting techniques, early Hellenic world and more importantly among the ideas of austerity, unity, patriotism, courage, and guile, they would begin transitioning out of the school at about greatest in the age entire period of twentyancient history. When most boys reached twentyFor about 300 years, they would meet members of the Spartans dominated their future <i>syssitia</i> – mess mates and those they fought alongside – whom they would officially join at the age neighbors through a combination of thirty. <ref> Knotterus and Berry, p. 20</ref> The agoge gradually declined in importance as the Spartans’ numbers declinedsuperior military tactics, but it was briefly revived under Cleomenes III (ruled 235-222 BC)bravery, who perhaps somewhat ironically began accepting Helots into the school and eventually as full Spartiates. <ref> Cawkwell, G. L. “The Decline of Sparta.” <i>Classical Quarterly</i> 33 (1983) psheer brutality; but that dominance did not take place overnight. 392</ref>

===Conclusion===Today, the ancient Spartans are rightfully viewed as the most accomplished warriors in the early Hellenic world and among the greatest in the entire period of ancient history. For about 300 years, the Spartans dominated their neighbors through a combination of superior military tactics, bravery, and sheer brutality; but that dominance did not take place overnight. The educational system known as the agoge taught Spartan boys military tactics and bravery, but more importantly , it instilled in them proper Spartan values. The values that were taught in the agoge permeated all aspects of Spartan society, so it is not surprising that when the agoge diminished in importance , so too did Sparta’s power in the Hellenic world.

====References====