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Sparta

Sparta. Sparta. The most powerful state in Greece in the Archaic period (much of the Classical period) Panhellenism assures similarities: Polytheism, patriarchy, slaves, agriculture, arete in battle, etc. Unique differences:

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Sparta

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  1. Sparta

  2. Sparta • The most powerful state in Greece in the Archaic period (much of the Classical period) • Panhellenism assures similarities: • Polytheism, patriarchy, slaves, agriculture, arete in battle, etc. • Unique differences: • Singular goals, state involved in private life, an enviable patriotism • But the uniqueness can be too quickly interpreted as utopian. Caveantdiscipuli!

  3. Sparta

  4. Sparta • Sparta (also called Lacedaemon) is located inland in Laconia • 27 miles away from harbor (Gythium) to the south • Only one colony in southern Italy • Controls all of the Laconian plain by the end of the 8th century

  5. Sparta • Sparta reduces inhabitants of Laconia’s plain to helots, who remain subject to the state of Sparta throughout generations. • Other peoples, in city-states around Sparta, become perioikoi, neighbors.

  6. Sparta • Helots are slaves • Perioikoi are free, but have to serve in the army

  7. Sparta • Sparta invades Messenia in 740; by 720 Messenia is subject to Sparta also. • Some become helots, some perioikoi • Civil unrest in early 7th c.; shipped off many to Taros in Italy • 2ndMessenian War: 669bc (helot revolt)

  8. Sparta • Messenians defeated again (although ratio was 7:1) • Revolt provided the impetus for Spartan system • Reforms aimed at two goals: • Free male citizens from all obligations except fighting • Socialize them for soldier discipline

  9. Sparta • The Spartan system • All practices were intended to produce the ideal Spartan hoplite • State regulates what we would consider private (hair, marriage, sex, child rearing) • Male military service till 60 years old

  10. Sparta • The Spartan system • Boys: • Birth: a decision to make (dokimasia = scrutiny) • Children and boys (7-14), youths (ephebes) to adults (14-20); 20-30 is marriageable age • Principles of conformity, obedience, group solidarity, military skills • Curriculum is endurance and defense • Syssition (mess) develops loyalty and cooperation

  11. Sparta • The Spartan system • Girls: • Raised to bear warriors • Education at state expense • Public role: different than the rest of Greece • Social role: childbearing (free from other domestic obligations) • Girls, maidens, and married women

  12. Sparta • The Spartan system • Sex and marriage • Clandestine • Intended primarily for procreation • Homosexuality and pederasty • Not a binary opposition between same-sex / different sex relationship • A part of paideia, education • Social utility • The usual end of such a relationship (age difference)

  13. Sparta • The Spartan system • Gradual effects: shrinking population (male infanticide; military ethos; xenophobia: Spartan male citizens constitute perhaps 5% of total population.) • 9000 Male Spartans in the Archaic period • 8000 in 479 (5000 fought at battle of Plataea) • 1000 in 330 (Aristotle writes about them) • 700 in 240 • Dying out by Roman times

  14. Sparta • The Spartan system • Equality sought among citizens: homoioi • Survival of Spartans dependent on helots: more than any other state, their economy depends on “geographical and social distance between landowners and workers on the land” (Pomeroy et al., 2009)

  15. Sparta • The Spartan system • A mixed constitution: • Dual kingship (basileis) • Gerousia (elders) = 28 other men over the age of 60 • Ephors (oversee the kings) = 5 over the age of 30 • Assembly of fighting men

  16. Sparta • Peloponnesian League • Sparta most powerful state in Greece • Policy of alliance with other poleis in Greece • League existed 540’s-360’s (defeat by Thebes) • Leader of Greece in Persian war; repercussions for Peloponnesian war

  17. Sparta • Ultimately, Sparta’s unique constitution and history fades, as happens with many totalitarian regimes • Athens is just as unique and extraordinary; various other poleis address questions that faced them all in different ways, with different forms of government

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