The Spartans: Fierce Fighters of

Ancient Greece
By History.com, adapted by Newsela staff on 06.15.17
Word Count 693
Level 810L

An engraving of a battle during the Peloponnesian War between Sparta and Athens. Photo from Wikimedia

Sparta was a warrior society in ancient Greece. It reached the height of its power
after defeating Athens, another city-state, in the Peloponnesian War. The war was
fought between 431 and 404 B.C. Spartans believed in loyalty to the state and
military service. At age 7, Spartan boys entered a tough, state-sponsored
education known as the Agoge. It emphasized duty, order and endurance. Spartan
women were not in the military. But they were educated and enjoyed more
freedom than other Greek women. Because Spartan men were full-time soldiers,
all labor was done by slaves called Helots. But the Spartans' dominance did not
last: In 371 B.C., they were defeated by the city-state of Thebes at the Battle of
Leuctra.

Spartan society

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Sparta, also known as Lacedaemon, had a
population made up of three main
groups. The Spartans were full citizens. The
Helots were slaves. The third group was the
Perioeci, who were neither slaves nor
citizens. The Perioeci, whose name means
"dwellers around," worked as craftsmen and
traders, and they built weapons for the
Spartans.

The Helots' name means "captives." They

were fellow Greeks from Laconia and Messenia. They had been conquered by the
Spartans and turned into slaves. The Helots were farmers, servants, nurses and
military attendants. They handled all day-to-day tasks and made Spartan life
possible. The Spartans, who were outnumbered by the Helots, treated Helots
cruelly to prevent uprisings. Spartans were even allowed to kill Helots for being
too smart or too fit.

The Spartan military

Other Greek city-states, such as Athens, enjoyed the arts, learning and thinking.
But Sparta focused mainly on a warrior culture. Spartans believed loyalty to the
state came before everything else, including family. Male Spartan citizens were
allowed only one job: soldier. Spartan boys started training at age 7, when they
left home and entered the Agoge. The boys lived together, were treated poorly
and received little food. They competed to learn survival skills, like stealing what
they needed to eat.

The teenage boys who were the best leaders became part of the Crypteia. It acted
as a secret police force. Its goal was to frighten the Helots and kill troublemakers.
At age 20, Spartan males became full-time soldiers. They were expected to fight
until age 60.

The Spartans' training made them skilled at the ancient Greek style of fighting.
This was done in a "phalanx" formation. In the phalanx, the army worked as a unit
to move on the battlefield. Going into battle, a Spartan soldier, or "hoplite," wore
a large bronze helmet, breastplate and ankle guards. He also carried a round
shield made of bronze and wood, a long spear and sword. Spartan warriors were
known for their long hair and red cloaks.

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Spartan women and marriage

Spartan women were very independent. They enjoyed more freedom and power
than other women in ancient Greece. Female Spartans were educated separate
from boys. In part to attract mates, females took part in athletic, singing and
dancing competitions. Unlike other Greek women, Spartan women owned
property. Also, they did little housework because those tasks were handled by
Helots.

Marriage was important to Spartans. The

state pressured people to have male
children to replace those who died in battle.
Men who delayed marriage were shamed.
Those who had several sons could be
rewarded. In preparation for marriage,
Spartan women shaved their heads, and
they kept their hair short the rest of their
lives. Married couples usually lived apart.
Men under 30 lived in barracks with other
soldiers. In order to see their wives,
husbands had to sneak away at night.

Decline of the Spartans

In 371 B.C., Sparta suffered a terrible defeat at the hands of Thebes in the Battle
of Leuctra. The following year, the Thebans conquered Spartan territory and
liberated the Helots. Sparta became a second-rate power. In 1834, the modern-
day town of Sparta was built on the site of ancient Sparta.

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