History
In antiquity, Sparta was a powerful city state with a famous martial tradition. Ancient writers described Sparta as Lacedaemon and it's people Lacedaemonians.
Sparta reached the height of it's power in 404 B.C after it's victory against Athens in the second Pelopennesian wars. Although, a more well known war was Sparta's war with Persia. Initially, Sparta was hesitant to engage with Persia. When the Persians threatened Greek cities on the west coast of what is now Turkey, people living in that area sent an emissary to Sparta for help. The Spartans did threaten King Cyrus, but still would not engage with the Persians. Later the Persians threatened the Greek cities again, and Sparta had no choice but to go to war. Eventually a Greek man showed Xerxes (A Persian General) a pass that would allow the Persians to outmaneuver the Spartans.
Sparta reached the height of it's power in 404 B.C after it's victory against Athens in the second Pelopennesian wars. Although, a more well known war was Sparta's war with Persia. Initially, Sparta was hesitant to engage with Persia. When the Persians threatened Greek cities on the west coast of what is now Turkey, people living in that area sent an emissary to Sparta for help. The Spartans did threaten King Cyrus, but still would not engage with the Persians. Later the Persians threatened the Greek cities again, and Sparta had no choice but to go to war. Eventually a Greek man showed Xerxes (A Persian General) a pass that would allow the Persians to outmaneuver the Spartans.
Geography
Ancient Sparta was a beautiful town located near the Eurotas river. Eurotas was the main river of Laconia, (a regional unit of Greece) which provided a source of fresh water for Spartans. The soil was fertile and well watered. The river was located in the centre of the Peloponnese which is a region in southern Greece. Sparta was protected on 3 sides by mountains. This created a natural area that could be used to defend against invaders.
Climate
The climate in Ancient Greece was very hot. It was almost 40 degrees Celsius in the Summer and the land was dry. All the farmers would harvest all their crops in the beginning of the Summer. Rain would only fall in the Winter. In Northern Greece it would be -30 degrees.
Type OF government
Sparta had three types of government. A monarchy, a Aristocracy, and a Diarchy. The government of Sparta consisted of two kings, five supreme magistrates, and a council of elders. The two kings ruled the city, but the council of elders limited their powers. These men were recruited from the highest social class, the Aristocratic Spartites. The Spartites were a class of military professionals who lived most of their lives in soldier barracks.
Daily Life
Daily life for the spartans were not as brutal
Men weren't allowed to live with their families, instead they lived in the soldiers barrack. These soldiers were allowed to marry, but they can't live with their family until thirtieth age.
Women had more freedom than the men. Many ran buisnesses and they were free to move about and visit neighbors
Boys were taken away from their mothers at the age of seven. they had to live in a harsh and brutal life in the soldiers barracks for 23 years. The older boys would have to fight the youngers boys to train them to be stronger. At the soldiers barracks they were trained to be a soldier. They can become a soldier at the age of 20. These boys were often whipped in front of their parents and other spartans. However they were not allowed to cry in pain.
Girls went to school and learned how to fight. they lived at home during their training. At the trainings they were given very little food, theu were encouraged to steal food instead. If they were caught they were beaten. They were also taught to be cunning, to lie, to cheat, to steal and how to get away with it. Spartans did this to train more capable warriors. ( Women were warriors )
Men weren't allowed to live with their families, instead they lived in the soldiers barrack. These soldiers were allowed to marry, but they can't live with their family until thirtieth age.
Women had more freedom than the men. Many ran buisnesses and they were free to move about and visit neighbors
Boys were taken away from their mothers at the age of seven. they had to live in a harsh and brutal life in the soldiers barracks for 23 years. The older boys would have to fight the youngers boys to train them to be stronger. At the soldiers barracks they were trained to be a soldier. They can become a soldier at the age of 20. These boys were often whipped in front of their parents and other spartans. However they were not allowed to cry in pain.
Girls went to school and learned how to fight. they lived at home during their training. At the trainings they were given very little food, theu were encouraged to steal food instead. If they were caught they were beaten. They were also taught to be cunning, to lie, to cheat, to steal and how to get away with it. Spartans did this to train more capable warriors. ( Women were warriors )