Two Greek City-States: Athens and Sparta                                                   back to Greece

  - throughout their whole history until they were conquered, the ancient Greeks were note a single nation ruled
    by one  government
  - Greece was a collection of separate and independent city-states, and two of the most important were Sparta
     and Athens

  2. Sparta: a Military State

  - Sparta was located on a small plain in the southern peninsula  of Greece which is called the PELOPONNESUS
  - because it was surrounded by good farmland, Sparta was one of the few Greek states that could feed itself

  3. Early Developments:

  - at first Sparta was the same as any other state formed by the Greek people

  - then, apparently, a great lawyer named LYCURGUS gave Sparta a new constitution. It was a set of rules
    which turned Sparta into a strict military state

 4. Spartan Education:

  - on the eighth day after a baby was born, it had to be taken before a council of elders for inspection (if judged
    weak, silly or wounded the baby was killed)

  - after being accepted young children were sent home where they were taught by their parents where they
     learned basic physical  skills, obedience, to be brief in speech, to be tough and have courage.

  - at seven, boys lived in military barracks, the purpose was to produce soldiers. In this military school, older
    boys were put in charge of the younger ones.  The bravest and most able were made officers. They were
    taught to be fit and stay fit  through vigorous exercise, to be obedient and have courage to fight, to steal
    successfully, to withstand pain and hardship without complaining (not like us) or breaking down.

  - Taught the basis of reading, writing and calculations.  In later stages, they got instruction in combat (with
    and without weapons), military tactics and strategy.  By graduation at age 18, they were excellent soldiers.

  - The girls stayed home and learned motherhood and housekeeping but this was accompanied by much physical
    activity for strength and fitness.

The Rest of a Spartan's Life

    Age 18 - 20: on active duty with a fighting unit and to complete training by observing the veterans

    Age 20 - 30: on active duty, had to live  with his unit

    Age 30: becomes a full citizen

    Age 30 - 60: lives at home, but must take main daily meal with his unit, on call whenever Sparta needed him.

    Age 60: retired

Spartan Social Classes

There were three classes of Spartan society:

      l. Spartiates: The top citizen class. These were the ruling military class, but they did not live in luxury.

      2. Perioici: The middle class; free men but were not citizens.  These were managers of forms for the Spartiates or
          skilled tradesmen.

     3. Helots: The lowest class. Indentured people, almost slaves. They did all the menial work.