Essay On Spartan Life

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Thomas Peden Mr. Schoon World History 4 December 2013 Spartan Life In 7th century, Ancient Greece a fierce group of warriors called the Spartans were the best in warfare. But life for the Spartans was not easy. As infants their strengths were tested. Babies would be bathed in wine rather than water to test their reaction and the belief it will make them strong. If a baby were ill born it would most likely be left on a nearby hill or used as a slave. If the baby passed the inspection to see if it was healthy, it would be kept to soon become a warrior. The babies were taught to not fear the darkness or solitude, and frequently ignored when crying. At age seven Spartan males were taken away from home and put into military barracks, the young soldiers were instructed in scholastics, warfare, stealth, hunting and athletics. At age 12, recruits were deprived of all clothing except for a red cloak and forced to sleep outside on beds they made by themselves from reeds. To ready them for a life in the field, the boy soldiers were also encouraged to scavenge and even steal their food, though if detected they were punished. Spartans were encouraged to fight and inflict pain to fellow recruits. At age 20 Spartans had to a difficult test to graduate and become citizens. The soldiers received the aristocratic citizenship. If they failed the test they became middle class. Classes were based on accomplishment rather than birth. If the young men passed, they continued to live in the barracks and train as soldiers but were required to wed to produce new young Spartans. The state gave them land, which was tended by slaves. At age 30 the Spartans could finally live with there families, but they still had to train. Finally at age 60 a Spartan ... ... middle of paper ... ...nd peace was maintained. The Lacedaemonians were not content with simply sending aid to Sicily; they also resolved to take the war to the Athenians. The Corinthians, the Spartans, and others in the Peloponnesian League sent more reinforcements to Syracuse, in the hopes of driving off the Athenians; but instead of withdrawing; the Athenians sent another hundred ships and another 5,000 troops to Sicily. Under Gylippus, the Syracusans and their allies were able to decisively defeat the Athenians on land; and Gylippus encouraged the Syracusans to build a navy, which was able to defeat the Athenian fleet when they attempted to withdraw. The Athenian army, attempting to withdraw overland to other, more friendly Sicilian cities, was divided and defeated; the entire Athenian fleet was destroyed, and virtually the entire Athenian army was sold off into slavery.

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