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The Spartan Agoge

“ an endless series of official measures illustrating another general feature of Spartan organization, namely the concerted effort to minimize the importance of family life….and to emphasize rather the cardinal and overriding significance of communal ties .” Cartledge. The Spartan Agoge.

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The Spartan Agoge

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  1. “ an endless series of official measures illustrating another general feature of Spartan organization, namely the concerted effort to minimize the importance of family life….and to emphasize rather the cardinal and overriding significance of communal ties.” Cartledge The Spartan Agoge

  2. Pericles’ Funeral Speech • ‘There is a great difference between us and our opponents…in our education system. The Spartans from their earliest boyhood are submitted to the most laborious training in courage; we pass our lives without all these restrictions, and yet are just as ready to face the same dangers as they are…There are certain advantages, I think, in our way of meeting danger voluntarily, with an easy mind, instead of with laborious training, with natural rather than with state-induced courage….”

  3. The aim of the Agoge was the development of physical strength, Military prowess communal bonds, Discipline and obedience http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGHlp8g7I0M

  4. Stage 1Birth – 7 years • Inspected at birth – if weak taken to ‘the place of Rejection’ • Supervision of nurses/mother • Pass of Spartan values • Taken at age 7

  5. Stage 27-12 years - Paides • Paidonomos (warden) – complete control • Eirenes (boys over 18) • Obedience • Athletic training and physical fitness • Light tunic • Head shaven • Observed by adults – punished • Competitive exercises

  6. Stage 313-18 years • Training more severe • Looked after by eirenes • Reading and writing – limited • Music and dancing – essential (poetry) • Athletic and musical competitions • Little food, slept on rushes, exercised naked • Stealing encouraged – punished if caught

  7. Secular Values perpetuated by the Agoge “It is a fine thing for a brave man to die when he has fallen among the front ranks while fighting for his homeland.Let us fight with spirit for this land and let us die for our children, no longer sparing our lives.Make the spirit in your heart strong and valiant, and do not be in love with life when you are a fighting man.” Tyrtaeus

  8. Stage 4 18-20 years “This is as follows: The magistrates from time to time sent out into the countryside at large the most discreet of the young men, equipped only with daggers and necessary supplies. During the day they scattered into obscure and out of the way places, where they hid themselves and lay quiet. But in the night, they came down to the roads and killed every Helot whom they caught. Often, too, they actually made their way across fields where the Helots were working and killed the sturdiest and best of them.“ Plutarch

  9. Stage 5 19-24 years • Become an eirene • Called upon to fight (not front line) • Physical training/competitions • FULL TIME SOLDIER • Front line troops • Kings 300 from this group • Full citizen • Took part in the Ekklesia • Grow hair long • Live with their wives (forced to marry if single) • Meals in syssition • 60 = retirement (Gerousia) Stage 624-30 years Stage 7 30-60 years

  10. Historians on the significance of the Agoge. • “ …their whole education was aimed at developing smart obedience, perseverance under stress and victory in battle.” Plutarch • “ Sparta had a common way of life based on a common education and training, a shared way of life and an equal standard of living.” D H Kelly • “ For its principal aim and function, admirably served by the helot culling, was to initiate the boys and youths into Spartan manhood in such a way that they internalised the values of the adult citizen warriorhood.” Cartledge

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