Western Civilization: Brain Vs. Brawn

Sparta was a very unique society which could be defined as Utopian Militaristic State. Spartan boys all were devoted their entire lives from an early age to the Spartan army. This heavily militarist society was also unique in terms of women's position in society. They had much more rights and freedoms than other Greek women, but in terms of family life they were not so lucky. Women were living separately from spouse during their whole lives. Their husbands were only coming to home at night, they were secretly removed after a short time. And also they were separated from their sons for military training. Women had to be strong in family and social life. Spartan lawgivers wanted girls to receive a good education in order to prepare them to their womanhood duties.

Females had to give birth to strong children. Women also had to wear plain clothing, cut their hair short and did not wear make-up, perfume or jewellery. They trained to keep fit, and exercised and danced naked, they did not have that much freedom, but unlike other city states they could vote, where as the men had to fight in the military and be brave warriors. At the age of 7 Spartan boys where taken away from there mothers and trained as loyal and disciplined soldiers for military uses, they were hospitalised in dormitory's, the boys were deprived and endured harsh punishments in order to raise them strong. The Spartans were very selective over there choice of baby's and infants and if they were born with disability or of Ill health they were to be

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

This tradition allowed for a city-state with an exceptional army, women with a substantial amount of liberties, and a gene pool that was superior to those around it. The Spartan way of life was one that focused itself on the importance of a physically strong society, and the people of this city-state went to great lengths to ensure that they maintained this tradition. As a result of this mentality, the authoritative figures of Sparta gave women more freedoms, as society did not see them as inadequate versions of men, but more as the mothers of society, whose job was to be the backbone of the strong Spartan army by birthing and raising robust young men. In fact, this lifestyle was so prevalent and noticeable that soldiers and writers from Athens and other outside lands took notice. Many documents from almost all areas around the Mediterranean Sea demonstrate this, especially in Xenophon’s “The Constitution of Sparta”, which describes the importance of physical ability in Sparta, as written by an Athenian soldier. The people of Sparta preserved this physical superiority in many ways. Boys moved into barracks at the young age of seven to train and become a part of the renowned Spartan army, and mothers abandoned babies with medical issues as soon as possible. This not only ensured that all citizens were able-bodied and working to improve the city-state at all times, but improved the gene pool of the civilization by eliminating any possible genetic disorders with visible phenotypes within the society. All these factors contributed to the health, wellness, and overall success of the Spartan

On the contrary to life of women in Athens, the women of Sparta had considerable freedom. They were allowed to leave their houses when ever they pleased. They were required per the state policy to have education both from physical and educational perspective. The reason for physical education was because they could make and nourish babies that would be healthy for the children to be capable of being good warriors and if the baby was not fit as they would be judged by the elders, as mentioned before they would be left to die outside the city.

The ancient regime did not allow anyone to make much decision making, unless they were the king. Everybody was below the king and there was no national citizenship. This is important to know because of the second estate, who were more educated than the third, recognized the King's unhealthy spending habits and demanded for a reform.. Eventually, the third estate followed in the

Before the Spartans were known for their military might, they were just another Greek City-State. The Spartans took pride in their artistic skills, especially Spartan poetry . A key event in the rise of Sparta was the conquest of Messenia in the 8th century . After the conquest of Messenia, the Messenian citizens were made slaves, or Helots as the Spartans would call them . After dealing with a Messenian slave revolt, a Spartan called Lycurgus created a set of laws which all Spartan citizens had to follow . The goal of the laws was to make the Spartan citizens professional soldiers that were capable of fighting off any enemies or potential slave revolts . The helots outnumbered the Spartans and were used for any number of tasks so that the Spartans’ time and focus would be solely devoted to military training. The use of Helots to do ordinary tasks like taking care of the crops, house and meals, was the spark that allowed for the formation of the Spartan military culture.

The Spartan social roles and government were very exquisite, proper and always knows their positions. At the bottom of the scale there where the Helots. The helots had so little to no rights that it was okay if their owners killed them. The helots were usually obtained or captured by the Spartans when out in battle. Helots were used as property and served their masters. Except they were not following what the man said. They followed what the women said due to the fact that men were fighting in wars and boys were training. Citizen males over the age of thirty were allowed to vote. The women were allowed to become citizen; as well they just did not receive the same rights as the men might have. Though the women in Sparta did have the most freedoms. They were allowed to own their own properties, they did not need permission to go out of the house; all because of the respect the Spartans had for mothers, also because the men were always in war. Lastly there was the Gerontes. They were the citizen males who were rich and over the age of sixty who had the most rights. One could only become a Genonte after surviving war. So, women could not become a Genonte due to the fact that they were not allowed to join the military and because they were not male.

Spartan women received education to brighten their minds and even physical training to keep them strong there training would consist of mostly some type of gymnastics, choral song and dance. Spartan women were trained this way to keep their bodies in shape to produce healthy babies who would grow into great, strong warriors. Women had more rights than even the

Unlike today Spartans already knew what their future held. That was to be a Spartan for life until you were dead. Many young men would attempt escaping Rome in hope to live a free life. Those who were caught escaping were hung on the first of every month. There was no such thing as women for Spartan’s.

Sparta had three groups of people. The slaves who were the ones that did all the work, Spartan females who were taught to be fit and be patriotic. Last were the Spartan males who were taught to fight and to aspire to be the perfect

Because that was their only job, they were not required to do any other type of work. Helots, also known as slaves, did all the jobs such as farming, nursing, and being servants. The Helots were other Greeks from Laconia and Messenia but were conquered and captured by the Spartans. They were then turned into slaves and Sparta could not have survived without them. The Perioeci, who were not slaves or citizens, were craftsmen and traders.

The Spartans had one of the most advanced societies to exist during the time. The average Spartan man lived with his wife, their warrior like son, and a daughter training to be a useful woman. The sons would always be warriors and have intense training and the daughters were brought up to be the common woman that would cook

First, the government was headed by two elected officers called consuls who were members of the aristocratic famies or patricians. They served as the executive branch and had supreme civil and military authority. They held office for one year, and then entered the Senate for life. Two magistrates or consuls each consul could veto the action of the other. The Senate that was a collection of citizens and it served as the legislative branch of the government as well as an advisory body. The Assembley of Centuries, which conducted annual elections of consuls, was composed of all members of the army. In this Assembly , the wealthier citizen vited first and had a profound influence.

As all monarchical state, the king had the power of life and death over his subjects, this civilization was extremely well organized with temple administrators, ministers and dignitaries.