Essay On Spartan Religion

Religious and Funerary Practices were thought of as extremely important by the citizens of the city-state of Sparta, in fact, their beliefs reached such an extreme that the other city-states mocked the Spartans. The three principal sub-elements that affected religious and funerary practices in Sparta are, the Gods/Goddesses worshipped, the festivals celebrated and solemnized, and the myths and legends passed through the generations.

Religion was important to the populace of Sparta as it helped support the ideals of a militaristic utopian society, as Socrates states, “Those who honor the gods most finely with choruses are best in war”. The gods that the Spartans worshipped most prominently were Apollo and Artemis Orthia, both of whom explicitly demonstrate the militaristic nature of Sparta, as they are associated with victory, wisdom, and skill in battle. Religious festivals were also held in honor of the gods, and Xenophon states, “Religious festivals were occasions of public display”, during these festivals, all political and governmental affairs were put on hold; this indicates significance to religion, and funerary practices as many festivals

The cult of Artemis Orthia was the most prominent cult in Sparta, and a sanctuary had been created near the Eurotas River, outside the center of Sparta. The festival of Artemis Orthia consisted of young boys trying to steal cheese from the altar, defended by the elders of Sparta. The ritual is said to be a test of courage, and according to Pausanias, the goddess was not satisfied until her altar was soaked with blood of the cheese thieves. The festival also included colossal celebrations, lead figurines, terracotta masks, lyres, and bone flutes have been found in proof of