Expert: Hank Hokamp - 10/20/2011

Question
i need some information for a travel brochure of ancient Sparta i have to make in history class i need their lifestyles and values, cultural achievements, and military abilities and strengths.

Answer

  Good Aternoon, Michael. I have much respect for the Spartans. Anyway, let's see what I hae for you:

  Here's an outline you might want to use since your're writing a brochure:

  Need-Driven
-Survivor lifestyle
-Sustainer lifestyle
  Outer-Directed
-Belonger lifestyle
-Emulator lifestyle
-Achiever lifestyle
  Inner-Directed
-I-Am-Me lifestyle
-Experiential lifestyle
-Societally Conscious lifestyle
  Combined Outer- and Inner-Directed
-Integrated lifestyle

  Laconophilia is love or admiration of Sparta and of the Spartan culture or constitution. In ancient times "Many of the noblest and best of the Athenians always considered the Spartan state nearly as an ideal theory realized in practice."

  In the modern world, the adjective "Spartan" is used to imply simplicity, frugality, or avoidance of luxury and comfort. The Elizabethan English constitutionalist John Aylmer compared the mixed government of Tudor England with the Spartan republic, stating that "Lacedemonia, meaning Sparta, was the noblest and best city governed that ever was." He commended it as a model for England. The Swiss-French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau contrasted Sparta favorably with ancient Athens in his Discourse on the Arts and Sciences, arguing that its austere constitution was preferable to the more cultured nature of Athenian life. Sparta was also used as a model of social purity by Revolutionary and Napoleonic France.

  The Constitution of Sparta is one of the earliest documents of its kind in the ancient world. If the dates of the ancient historians are trustworthy, the Spartan constitution predates that of Athens by 150 years. While the constitution established a mixed government that was occasionally monarchical, oligarchic, and even at some times tyrannical, it did stress democracy. All male citizens were allowed to participate in the Domos, the Spartan assembly.

   Sparta is most commonly known today as the militaristic rival of "enlightened" Athens in ancient Greece. It is remembered for its military accomplishments – particularly the heroic defence under King Leonidas of the pass at Thermopylae in 480 BC.  Images of a society characterized by brutal, mindless discipline and a merciless emphasis on physical fitness, but lacking artistic and intellectual accomplishments – or even basic literacy – predominate in popular literature.

   In short, in the ancient world Sparta was admired as much for its constitution, its system of education, its philosophical culture, its economic self-sufficiency, its diplomacy, and its music and dance as it was for its famous hoplites. Not her kings, but her citizens – the lawgiver Lycurgus, the philosopher Chilon, and the poet Tyrtaios – were the most widely admired Spartans in ancient times.

   Girls were educated in reading and writing and could participate in sports; they were treated more as equals to men. The goal was to produce women who would produce strong healthy babies. At age 18 she would be assigned a husband and return home. Citizen women were free to move around and enjoyed a great deal of freedom. Domestic arts (weaving, spinning, etc.) were usually left to the other classes. Spartan women could own and control their own property. In times of war the wife was expected to oversee her husband's property and to guard it against invaders and revolts until her husband returned.

   Men's daily life centered on military training. Boys received training starting at 7 and stayed away from home until the age of 30. They spent their days marching, exercising, and fighting, their diet consisted of a little more than a bowl of black porridge. In conclusion, boys had to live a hard life, similarly to the girls. Females received some military training, they ran, wrestled, and played sports. Spartan women had considerable freedom. They were in charge of the household while the men were gone.

   That's it from here, my friend. Hope I covered all points of interests.

         HANK