Sparta was a city-state in ancient Greece and is best remembered for its fierce people, the Spartans. The Spartans were warriors. From boyhood until death, men were expected to give their lives up for their home. Women were the strong mothers, skilled in the arts and in athletics. Together, they made a nation like no other ever seen before or since.
1. Children were Property of the City-State
As soon as a child was born in Sparta, it became the property of the city-state. Upon reaching age seven, boys were sent away from their mothers to live in a boarding camp for military training.
2. Boys into Soldiers
Boys stayed in military training until they reached the age of twenty. At that time, the young men were ready to serve in wars and act as secret police, spying on the slaves and people they had overthrown.
3. Not Allowed to Live with Wives
It was the duty of all Spartan citizens to get married and make children. However, men were not permitted to live with their wives until they reached the age of thirty.
4. Women Lived Full Lives
Since men were busy with military training and attacking the neighbors, Spartan women had an extraordinary amount of freedom. Women went to public schools to learn to read and write. They learned how to dance and sing. They also took part in athletic events.
Spartan men believed that women must be strong and healthy in order to produce strong, healthy sons.
5. Producing Sons
There were many benefits to producing sons among the Spartans. Men who legitimately produced three sons were finally excused from military service. Men who fathered four legitimate sons no longer had to pay taxes.
6. Music and Songs
The Spartans loved music and singing. Boys were taught to dance, sing battle songs, and how to march to battle music.
7. Sharing the Wife
According to some reports, there was a shortage of Spartan women. Families may have practiced female infanticide, preferring the honor of raising sons for the city-state. Because of the shortage of Spartan women, many Spartan husbands shared their wives. The purpose was to make more Spartans, and men who fathered children with other men’s wives were assured the legitimacy of their children.
8. Weakness was Death
In Sparta, it was claimed that if someone was unwilling to risk his life for the city-state, he would be put to death or exiled. Cowards were viewed as traitors and were subjected to severe public humiliation for being unworthy of the Spartan way of life.
