The Spartan Military Influence On Society

The spartan military was one of the most feared militaries in the greek society. They trained their citizens in discipline and honor. Their entire culture was based on war. The spartans began in the mycenaean age(1600 Bce to 1100 Bce).

The following essay will focus on the main features of Spartan religion. Religion in Sparta had the ideas to support a militaristic and superstitious society, which, therefore, influenced the approach to religion to suit The Great Rhetra. To support and uphold the Spartan society which highlights that the Spartan religion had many important features such as, Gods and Goddesses which were a part of the Sparta’s polytheism religion which was believed to play a major role in many aspects of their lives. Myths and legends and how Sparta's devotion to them built their very militaristic and superstitious religion. Festivals which were important customs and major Eunomia throughout Spartan society. Death and the Burial processes which was important to the militaristic society to send its honorable and heroic soldiers to the next stage in life in a respectful and presentable manner. Religious role of the kings who had a leading and significant outcome of religion in Sparta. All of these main features of Spartan religion was to make a system that would produce Spartans that were loyal, skillful and had social coherence.

In no other city-state did women enjoy the same freedom and status as Spartan women. As a military-driven society, the Spartans realized that “regardless of gender all Spartiates had an obligation to serve the militaristic end of Sparta.” With this focus in mind, women were allowed more freedom, rights, and independence. Spartan women were

The entire Spartan society revolved around the army, essentially making it the key aspect of Spartan life and culture. The army influenced areas such as education and social structure as well as being the most important defence of Sparta in both combat and reputation.

Both of these levels of society in the Spartan hierarchy had extremely important roles in the city of Sparta, from feeding the masses to creating weapons for the army. Without these two social classes the high structured military mechanism that was Sparta would cease to function and the legendary state would have never become so prominent.

In several lands and cultures have many pros and cons but the Spartans were known for being a perfectionist society, but as you may not know, as the Spartans had multiple amounts of strengths as they also did with weaknesses. During the time of 5th century in Sparta emerged a tiny powerhouse in the eastern Mediterranean, rivaled against Athens. As so for the educational system performed a major factor between both civilizations taking over each other. And both had their very own benefits and unbeneficial side, but for Sparta, did the strengths outweigh their own weaknesses? Yes, strength did outweigh their weakness because them being well structured to having the utmost of military power and also including their own emphasis on teamwork/

The Agoge was a harsh, tough education program which all men of Sparta were required to participate in. The agoge would begin when a Spartan boy was at the age of seven. All boys would receive the same education which was harsh, brutal, and torturing. It was designed to condition the boys to become ready to fight rather than learning about traditional subjects. In the end, some Spartan boys turned into strong hoplite soldiers while unsuccessful boys were outcast from society. Despite the hardships many Spartan boys had to endure, the agoge would prove very useful for Sparta. Out of all the Greek poleis, Sparta was the one known for having the strongest army.

The Spartans lead the military efforts because of their extensive military expertise. Their military fortitude comes from their spartan culture. In Spartan culture, military was the focal point of there society. It was this military regimented mentality that allowed Sparta to become rulers of ancient Greece and a dominant fighting force of their time. However, to maintain this strong presence in Greece you had to prepare the future generation to continue current success. This is exactly what Sparta did.

Sparta made its every male into a soldier, they trained starting at a young age into late ages. This system limited Spartans contact with the outside world. As it says in the Spartan Society and Values, no man is proved to be a good man in war unless faces the blood if slaughter. This shows the ruthless ways of the Greeks with the men. They had to train for the military regardless of what they desired for the honor of their family.

Classical Sparta Page 1 Samantha Elliott Ancient Sparta was an interesting time, one that’s like no other. There were many key components of Sparta and the Spartans that stood out to make it unique. The first unique trait of Sparta was; “Sparta was one of the most efficient and strongest of the Leading Greek city states in its time”(“Spartan Warriors.” Ancient Warriors.) regarding its military.

Sparta is considered by many people as the greatest and most powerful city in Greece for its great strength and power among the other city-states on the Peloponnese peninsula. When you look at Sparta compared to its rival city-states, is it really as great as we think it is? After all, it only lasted 300 years. Sparta’s weaknesses definitely outweighed its strengths. There are many factors to support how Sparta dug its own grave, but the main reasons are because of their lack of education, abusive ways, and their overpopulation of helots (Slaves).

Religion in Sparta, like in many societies, had a purpose. Religion was important in Sparta to support the ideals of a militaristic utopian society which, after the Messenian wars, the governing forces were aiming to create. “Those who honour the gods most finely with choruses are best in war” [Socrates]. The Spartan ideal of an elite military state influenced the approach to religion and the ways in which religion would be moulded to suite state doctrine, therefore highlighting the importance of religion in upholding the values of Spartan society. Religion in Sparta was interpreted to uphold Spartan values some of which are endurance, loyalty, obedience, conformity, and

Sparta was one of the most well known city states in ancient Greece. Sparta focused on producing good soldiers. Every male citizen was apart of the Spartan army. Unhealthy babies were not accepted in Sparta if you were unhealthy they would be left to die at the Apothetae, a chasm by Mount Taygetus. If you were male at 7 years old you were to join the agoge, the states educational program. Spartan mothers would say “Son either with this or on this. They were referring to there shield as they would rather have there son die than come home defeated. They would live in the barracks with the other Spartan boys until they become 30. From 7 to 11 you get taught reading, writing, music and dancing, but there teachers are most concerned about physical improvement. Life was hard for them; there daily physical training included being barefoot and having only one piece of clothing. They would do this no matter what the weather was. Also there was never enough food but teachers encouraged students to steal food, if you got caught you would get in trouble not for stealing

The warriors were trained to be resourceful and learn to adapt to hunger and suffering and getting supplies. The soldiers wore no shoes so they could be more nimble in rougher areas, they also wore one garment of clothing all year so they can adapt to all types of weather (Doc B). the solders were able to move more in rougher areas tightly packed together from this training. There was encouragement to steal food, but reading and writing was only for practical reasons (Doc A). The soilders were able to survive with little food from this training and were able to understand military instruction if in writing. The men in the Spartan society were taught how to be more resourceful and that is what their education was meant for.

Bibliography•HSC Online Ancient History Ancient Sparta Notes:http://hsc.csu.edu.au/ancient_history/societies/greece/spartan_society/sparta_unbringing/ancient_sparta_upbringing.htmThis source was effective as it gave a range of information, particularly about life in the agoge and training of girls. It also had many useful references to ancient sources such as Plutarch. The only drawback is that it seems to gain most of its information from Plutarch, meaning that a wider range of sources may have