Table of Contents
What was the Spartan mirage?
The Spartan “mirage” was an idea first coined by Francois Ollier in the 1930’s and referres to the idealisation of Spartan society throughout Antiquity. This distorted view of Sparta has affected the way in which we understand Spartan society.
Why were Spartan males treated harshly?
They were trained to harden themselves to the elements. At the age of 18, Spartan boys had to go out into the world and steal their food. Getting caught would result in harsh punishment, including flogging, which was usually a practice reserved only for slaves.
What is Spartan culture?
Spartan culture was centered on loyalty to the state and military service. Although Spartan women were not active in the military, they were educated and enjoyed more status and freedom than other Greek women. Because Spartan men were professional soldiers, all manual labor was done by a slave class, the Helots.
Why does the Spartan mirage matter?
In particular, they focus upon Sparta’s most exceptional aspects. The distorted image of Sparta which results is commonly called ‘the Spartan mirage’. Every student of Sparta grapples with the question of how this mirage shapes and mis-shapes our conception of Spartan society, and how we might seek to penetrate it.
What is the Spartan mirage quizlet?
Spartan mirage. A view of Sparta in the Archaic Age that most foreigners had. People thought that Spartans were egalitarian, patriotic, militarized, selfless and courageous.
Did Leonidas really say come and take them?
King Leonidas of Sparta said the phrase Molon Labe (means “Come and take them” in ancient Greek) to Xerxes I of Persia 2492 years ago when the Persians asked the Spartans to lay down their arms and surrender.
What did the Spartans say at Thermopylae?
Leonidas famously replied, “Come and take them” (“Molon labe”). Xerxes intended to do just that and thus moved toward Thermopylae.
What are some of the most messed up things about Sparta?
Here are just some of the most messed up things about Sparta. Ancient Sparta was an incredibly stratified society, with strict class divisions drawn along social, gender, and ethnic lines.
What are the characteristics of Spartan Warriors?
No one soldier was considered superior to another. Going into battle, a Spartan soldier, or hoplite, wore a large bronze helmet, breastplate and ankle guards, and carried a round shield made of bronze and wood, a long spear and sword. Spartan warriors were also known for their long hair and red cloaks. Spartan Women and Marriage
What was life like for Spartiates during the agoge?
As young men undergoing the agoge, Spartiates were assigned to communal mess halls known as syssitia to which they were bound for life, living in barracks until they were too old to fight, only seeing their families when they were able to sneak away.
What did Spartan women do to attract mates?
In part to attract mates, females engaged in athletic competitions, including javelin-throwing and wrestling, and also sang and danced competitively. As adults, Spartan women were allowed to own and manage property. Additionally, they were typically unencumbered by domestic responsibilities such as cooking,…