Ancient Sparta became famous all over the world thanks to the courage and heroism of its inhabitants. This city has been the center of the military power of ancient Greece for centuries, and the feat of three hundred Spartans has become legendary. But this legend has historical evidence discovered by archaeologists. Well, let’s get acquainted with fascinating facts and History about Ancient Sparta that you may not have known before. Let us Explore some amazing facts about Greek Ancient Sparta History.
Everything about Greek Ancient Sparta History :
* According to legend, the founder of this city-state was Lacedaemon, the son of the god Zeus and the Pleiades of Taigeta. He was married to a woman named Sparta, after whom he named the city he built.
* In ancient Greece, there was a monetary unit called the obol, which at the same time was a measure of weight equal to about 0.7 grams. In Athens and other polises, obols were silver coins, but in Sparta, they used obols in the form of bulky and impractical iron rods. They were as much heavier than coins as iron was cheaper than silver. This was done so that the Spartans were less eager for wealth, and also stole less and gave bribes.
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* Spartan men preferred to wear long hair, as they believed that it gave them a more masculine appearance.
* Contrary to popular myth, the warriors of Sparta did not fight with a bare torso. They always wore armor.
* The Spartans did not do any household work. The economy was run by helots – people who have the social status of serf farmers. Helots were the same Greeks, but they occupied a lower social position in the society of ancient Sparta.
* The People’s Assembly of Sparta consisted of citizens who had reached the age of 30. They voted with shouts of approval or disapproval, without counting the votes, according to the principle “whoever shouts louder is right.”
* Children in Sparta were in the undivided property of the state. Immediately after birth, they were subjected to a thorough search, and the weak and crippled were left in the forest. Healthy children were returned to their parents, who raised them up to 6 years old. After six years, children were taken away from their parents in favor of the state, and their education began.
* There were always two rulers in Ancient Sparta. While one of the kings was waging war, the second was looking after the city at that moment.
* Contrary to popular belief, the Spartans did not know the art of war, for example, they did not know how to besiege fortified cities and fight at sea. All they were taught was to fight on foot, “one on one” and in a phalanx.
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* No Spartan had the right to eat at home. Everyone, not excluding the tsars, ate in state canteens.
* In ancient Sparta, a coward was branded with shame, and his children were forbidden to marry and have children. It was almost impossible to wash away the shame.
* Far from 300 Spartans participated in the famous Battle of Thermopylae on the side of the Greeks. In fact, the total number of the Greek army numbered about 6 thousand people, and they held back the Persian army, consisting of 200 thousand soldiers, for two days.
* Intellectual pursuits were not encouraged in Sparta. People who tried to engage in them were declared cowards and expelled. During the centuries of its existence, Sparta did not give Hellas a single philosopher, orator, historian, or poet.
* No Spartan could own slaves himself. All helots were the property of the state, and it transferred the slaves to individuals “for u*e”.
* Young soldiers of Sparta under the age of 12 were forbidden to wear clothes so that they would not get used to comfort.
* At about the age of 30, the Spartan warrior passed the last stage of formation, thanks to which he could get the right to leave the barracks and lead a private life. From that moment on, he served the state and the war, could not trade or engage in agriculture. He was also expected to marry and have children.
* Ancient Sparta encouraged its citizens to spy on slaves. Young Spartans were specially sent to eavesdrop on the speeches of the helots, and to kill anyone who seemed suspicious. The strongest and bravest slaves, capable of protest, were killed secretly.
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Conclusion :
The Greek Ancient Sparta is one of the most memorable ancient histories to be remembered. Hope you have enjoyed the facts and history of Greek Ancient Sparta.
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