Personal Narrative: My Trip To Sparta

As my girlfriend and I pull into a crowded parking lot during a chilly Friday evening, we struggle to find a spot of our own, but manage to do so as we take the place of another young couple as they pull out to leave. I put the car in park as we both gaze at the numerous parties walking into the restaurant. A bright sign, hung lit overhead, shining the phrase "Applebee's Neighborhood Bar and Grill" atop a red brick building. Awnings were placed above every window, and resting on the ground, between each window, was a wooden park bench surrounded by lush, green foliage on either side. The whole place looked as if it had been pulled straight from a friendly neighborhood in the heart of the big apple. I

The city always seemed to push the stars farther away from the world in the dead of night. Rain had begun to sprinkle downtown and it began to trickle across the top of the parked cars in the street. Vernon was sitting there silently listening to the drizzle outside that sounded like pebbles falling on a tin roof, still thinking about the dreams his been having. The Coffee Cup was like any other diner nestled between apartments and liquor stores. There was seven cut-up stools and behind them against the wall sat a cigarette machine and no smoking sign. The counter was worn from years of service. Two booths sat facing the storefront windows

During the times of Ancient Greece, two major forms of government existed, democracy and oligarchy. The city-states of Athens and Sparta are the best representatives of democracy and oligarchy, respectively. The focus of the times was directed towards military capabilities, while the Athenians were more interested in comfort and culture. It was the oligarchy in Sparta that put a war-like attitude as its first priority and best met the needs of Ancient Greece. These factors empowered Sparta and led to the development of an authoritative and potent state. Other contrasting issues included women’s rights, social classes, and value of human life.

Initially, my ride to the great state of Ohio was a pleasant scenic drive. Weaving in and out through the Pennsylvania Poconos mountains, a refreshingly pleased feeling came over me thinking about the events to come. It wasn’t until after Pittsburgh that I started to notice some of the vehicles beside me may have also been going to the gathering. Perhaps the fake blood stained hand print sheen on the front of the Ford Bronco behind me indicated

On October 15, 2017 at approximately 10 AM, I woke up to go to Freddie’s Restaurant to start my observations. It was a nice morning, about 50 degrees and sunny with a slight breeze. I hopped into my Chevy truck to head to the restaurant. There were cars zipping around the town because church had just gotten let out, and families were going to get food somewhere.

The downtown area had groups of mothers and children, as well as a group of adolescents walking. The large park located near the river had several families walking around. The bike path was being used as well. The commercial are on U.S. Route 34 was also crowded and traffic was heavy. The overall community appeared to be composed of young families predominantly of the Caucasian race. All of the people observed appeared to be well nourished and not only dressed well, but appropriately dress for the weather. The individuals observed appeared to be happy and enjoying a nice fall afternoon.

I’m a ruthless Spartan. We are better than anyone else at physical activities. Our military is stronger than any other city state during our time. I’m from a city state named Sparta. Living in Sparta you must be very strong and athletic. If you can’t win fights you shall be punished. When your seven years old you had to join the military. When you’re 20 you join the regular army and lived in the barracks for 10 years. I am 30 years old and am at home right now. I have 3 children. 2 girls and 1 boys. I must serve in the army until i’m 60 years old then I can be done.

Leaving her place of employment, Lehane took in a deep breath, driving towards Pike Market. Lehane thought about the day, about everything going on around her. Nathaniel coming back, Chris coming back, her father died, and, her brother doing something that he shouldn't have done. It was all piling up inside needing to break out or something along those lines. Parking her car, she got out and walked the mile to Pike's Market. Pike's Market wasn't just known for its Wharf; It was one of the most historical parts of Downtown Seattle, Washington. That and the Space Needle, but Pike's that was the place all the tourists went. Not just to watch the cargo ships come in, or the fisherman bringing in their hauls, but it was a family environment. It was a place

The history of Sparta was the great exception to the political evolution of the city-states. Despite the fact that Spartans in the end were all Greek, Sparta failed to ever move in the direction of democratic rule. Instead, its government evolved into something more closely resembling a modern day dictatorship. If the Spartans had followed the other Greek city-states in their political practices they might have been able to avoid their own downfall and could have even become stronger.

When I googled on the Internet about a news story relating to Classical Studies, I happened to found an

One of the most important subjects is History. Knowledge of the past helps from repeating history. There were awful rulers, and their subjects raised up and fought for their freedoms. If the rulers of today studied history, maybe they would be better rulers and not incite rebellions. Rome enslaved many people, but Spartacus was a great gladiator that escaped, gained followers, fought for their freedom, and is a hero to the mistreated.

My life in Sparta would be tough and rewarding. I am a proud Spartan man. When I was a baby, my Spartan parents had to take me to the Elders for inspection and since I passed, they had to assigned me to the barracks when I turned 6. My older sister had to go through the process the same way I did. She, too, was sent to school to be a great warrior like me. There, we will learn how to become a tough warrior who can endure unbelievable pain and hardship. My father told me that when I steal, be sure not to get caught because for sure, I will get beaten not for stealing, but for getting caught. I had no choice but to steal food, because at the Barracks, they are stingy with their food. Our rival, Athens, thought of us as a

Spartacus, a fearsome gladiator and general in the war against slavery in Rome, was portrayed as a born-slave that was eventually bought after having a squabble with a Roman soldier during slave-labor. According to Appian, a Roman historian in 2nd century A.D., “At the same time Spartacus, a Thracian by birth, who had once served as a soldier with the Romans, but had since been a prisoner and sold for a gladiator, and was in the gladiatorial training-school at Capua, …” (217). This shows that Kubrick omitted such an important detail regarding Spartacus’s past. Kubrick most likely wanted to portray an underdog story for Spartacus. However, there were many ways that Kubrick could have written this part of the story. He could have stuck to

On and off the course you are a Spartan, the Spartan Race believes in transforming your life. The race believes in changing your frame of reference, laughing in the face of failure and continuing forward through any obstacle. Each challenge is welcomed and discomfort is embraced. The race encourages you to be active, curious and most of all, human. You become unbreakable. At its core, the race is a test of fitness, will, and strength. It is more than a race, you become a Spartan.

When I woke up on the bus I could tell we weren’t in Lancaster anymore. Arriving at Philadelphia seemed like we were farther than just an hour away. It seemed like we time traveled. The Italian Market looked like it didn’t urbanize, only the surrounding community did. All around us were these tiny “mom and pop” stores. They had your traditional hanging signs with the stores’ name. They didn’t light up, rotate, or have many colors. The roads and streets were significantly smaller than the average. The sidewalks were packed with people selling things on stands and shoppers. The different aromas filled the air. The south 19th street was lined with different stores that appeared to be trapped in the early 20th century. Some of the stores have been there since the very beginning of the Italian Market. Instead of a giant grocery store in those times, you had to go to different stores that specialized in different things. Therefore as you walked down the street each store had a distinct aroma. If you didn’t look at the sign, just by the smell you could tell what they sold. Everything was made fresh which made the smells so strong.