CLASSICS 2K03 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Syssitia, Crypteia, Helots
2 Feb 2016
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Document Summary
Sparta"s history played a big role in the nature of spartan society. After a series of wars, sparta successfully and permanently subordinated its neighbours. Sparta"s neighbours were turned into serfs (helots) who were required to work the land for their spartan masters. The spartans needed to control a large subject population, which required a highly trained fighting force at a state of constant readiness. Spartans became professional soldiers who trained full time. Every aspect of spartan society was subordinated to the need to create an effective military. The large population of helots provided both the need for a permanent military organization and the ability to support such an organization. Exposure was mandatory for babies born with any types of defects". All boys had to go through a rigorous educational system (the agoge) Age 6: boys left home and began to live communally with their peers. Age 12: lived in barracks, minimal rations, expected to steal to survive.
