Questions and Answers
Where is Sparta located?
On a peninsula in southern Greece called the Peloponnese.
What military technique helped Sparta become so strong?
Going to the phalanx.
Who fought against whom in the Peloponnesian Wars?
Athens & Spartans.
What happened at Thermopylae?
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Sparta faced threats from without and within the city-state, who posed these threats?
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What specific generalization can you make about the population makeup of Sparta?
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What is the Peloponnese?
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What is a city-state?
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What military technique was perfected by the Spartans?
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Who are the helots?
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What does Spartitate mean?
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How many years did a Spartan boy spend in the agoge?
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Is there evidence in this document to suggest that Spartan boys developed stronger attachments to their agoge troops than to their families? Explain.
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What Spartan values are suggested by this document?
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Judging from this document, what were the strengths of Spartan education?
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What were the weaknesses of Spartan education?
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What clothing did Spartan boys wear?
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What was the reason for small rations of food?
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What was the reason for encouraging the boys to steal?
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What was the reason for whipping boys who were caught stealing?
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What were the strengths of Spartan education?
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What were the weaknesses of Spartan education?
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What was the krypteia?
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According to Plutarch, what was the Spartans' justification for killing helots?
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Study Notes
Geography of Sparta
- Sparta is located on the Peloponnese peninsula in southern Greece.
- The Peloponnese is the western part of Greece, significant for its historical city-states.
Military Techniques
- The phalanx was a crucial military formation that contributed to Sparta's strength and effectiveness in battle.
Peloponnesian Wars
- Athens and Sparta were the primary opposing city-states during the Peloponnesian Wars.
Battle of Thermopylae
- All Spartan warriors perished at the Battle of Thermopylae, but their sacrifice prevented the Persian invasion from reaching their homeland.
Internal and External Threats
- Sparta faced threats both from its external enemies and its internal population, particularly from the helots, who were a subjugated servant class.
Demographics of Sparta
- The Spartan population consisted of a higher number of helots compared to Spartan citizens, indicating they were largely outnumbered.
Spartan Society Structure
- The city-state of Sparta included not just the city but also the surrounding land and resources.
Definition of Key Terms
- A phalanx is a military technique that was refined by the Spartans.
- Helots were local people conquered by Spartans during their expansion.
Spartan Citizenry
- Spartitate refers to pure Spartan citizens, those recognized as full members of Spartan society.
Education and Training
- Spartan boys underwent rigorous training in the agoge for 13 years, emphasizing military skills, obedience, fitness, and discipline.
- The education system instilled values such as courage and a drive to conquer in battle.
- The physical regime included wearing only one cloak and receiving small food rations, designed to foster resilience.
Social Relationships
- Spartan boys had limited contact with their families, fostering stronger bonds with their peers in the agoge.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Spartan Education
- Strengths included military combat skills, physical fitness, and resourcefulness.
- Weaknesses involved a lack of intellectual development, extreme harshness, and the potential for neglect or cruelty among the education system.
Stealth and Resourcefulness
- Encouraging boys to steal was a tactic to cultivate stealth and resourcefulness in preparation for battle.
Krypteia
- The krypteia was a secret police force in Sparta, ostensibly to control the helot population and suppress any rebellions.
Justification for Helot Killings
- Spartans justified killing helots by claiming they posed a threat to the stability of Sparta, especially after rebellions.
Impact of Education on Morality
- Spartan education was criticized for instilling a lack of morality and empathy in its citizens, negatively affecting their humanity and societal productivity.
Studying That Suits You
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Description
Test your knowledge on ancient Sparta through these interactive flashcards. Covering key topics such as Sparta's location, military techniques, and historical conflicts like the Peloponnesian Wars, this quiz will enhance your understanding of Spartan history. Perfect for students of classical studies!
