The Lookout
Volume 7 Issue 1 | 2019
The Spartan Way of Life Ashley Hunter In pondering ancient Greece, people generally
and unite the community under a strenuous,
think of Athens with awe because of develop-
but unique ideology. Foremost, formal
ments, such as theater and democracy, which
education was absent in Sparta, especially
Athens is given credit for initiating. On the
in contrast to other Greek city-states where
contrary, one may view the Spartans as the
citizens—specifically young males—learned
ruthless warriors portrayed in modern-day
to read and write and master other vital skills
movies since their entire lives revolved around
of their time (Xenophon). Spartan citizens
military training and war. However, it is inap-
could not read or write, but adapted to the
propriate to judge the Spartan way of life on
warrior culture surrounding their everyday
modern terms, and even that of Athens; one
lives through extensive and mandatory
must consider other aspects of Spartan cul-
military training that began at a young age.
ture and social systems because Sparta was a
The integration into their ideology and how
successfully functioning society in its time.
the order was maintained started with their
The Spartan codification and refinement were
education system and is outlined by Xenophon
adequate for their organization because Sparta
in The Constitution (Politeia) of the Spartans.
maintained order, had a well-organized govern-
The critical point that displays the influences
ment, and allowed for the greater significance
of the education system is by the famous
of women within the community compared
Spartan lawmaker Lycurgus. His regulations
to other Greek city-states. Nonetheless, every
on “respect and obedience” that commenced
system has its flaws, and as for Sparta, theirs
for young boys established discipline, loyalty,
happened to contradict modern standards,
and the capacity for boys to sustain themselves
which may cause some biased viewpoints
in harsh conditions on the battlefield. Males
when analyzing their way of life. The way they
were taken from their families around the age
treated the helot population led to unnecessary
of seven to attend a military school and would
internal conflicts.
eventually spend the rest of their lives serving
The first component that positively contributed to Sparta’s success was their ability to preserve order among their citizens
the state. Lycurgus also reshaped many Spartan customs and behaviors such as marriage
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