Sparta Strengths And Weaknesses

Sparta had very different values than that of societies today. Located on Peloponnese, a peninsula in southern Greece, it slowly grew enough to be considered a city-state. The people there valued military more than morals. The Spartans owned helots and fought against an army much bigger than theirs and everyone died but stopped the Persians using the phalanx. The strengths in Sparta’s education system outweigh the weaknesses because boys were taught the proper attitude, to care for and use their bodies, and how to be prepared for whatever comes their way.

Physical education was important for all Spartans, including women. Document A states that instruction was mostly physical fitness and, “Athletic contests formed a large part of training in the agoge.” Fitness was a really big part of the boys lives because they were trained to fight in the army from the age of seven. Females were also taught to take care of their bodies because it was believed that they were made for birthing children and people wanted strong boys. “The maidens [were] to exercise themselves… [to] be more able to

undergo the pains of childbirth.” (E) Educating people on the importance of bodily care is obviously important to the survival of the human race.
Obedience, courage, and respect were taught to all young men living in Sparta.

Boys deemed worthy to live at birth were sent to the agoge once they turned seven and stayed for fourteen years. While living in the agoge they were educated on the attitude they should have at all times. Respect was a key factor as said in Document D, “ The young men were required not only to respect their fathers and to be obedient to them, but to have regard for all older men.” They had to make room for them on streets and give up seats. “Boys were encouraged to go out and steal food… but if caught stealing they were whipped.” (A) Since they were shown how to steal, they were punished if they did it wrong which shows that the authorities valued the education given and wanted the children to succeed. If the boys did not have the right attitude, they would not have been able to conquer all that they

did.
In the agoge, boys lived in conditions that may seem harsh to some but prepared them for being in wars. They were to, “Harden their feet… wear one garment throughout the year… [eat] a moderate amount of [food]... [spend] sleepless nights” (B) in order to be ready for not having shoes, clothes, food, or even sleep. Annually, the boys would have a competition in which they would be whipped for an entire day at the altar of Artemis Orthia. It is said that, “they bravely endured [the competition], cheerful and proud, vying with one another” (D) They enjoyed it because they got the chance to prove their worthiness to their superiors. Without being taught these things, the boys would not have been able to handle the conditions of war.
Spartans were taught the importance of their bodies, what attitude to have about things, and the information they would need to not only survive in a war, but to thrive. Education in Sparta was different than how people see education in modern day schools. They valued principles that have taken a backseat to things learned now but there were more strengths than weaknesses. Education in Sparta was different than how people see education in modern day schools but that does not mean it was wrong.