Sparta 5.Culture/Everyday Life

Question 1

Sculptures

Answer 1

depict heroes/worshippers /gods
-STELE} tall stone slab used as monument
-i.e. carved stone releifs in limestone >Stele of Menelaus & Helen

-

Question 2

Bronzes

Answer 2

Spartans excelled at bronzes, only smaller bronzes survived in large numbers
-miniatures of soldiers/female goddesses
-KRATER}vessel for mixing water and wine w two handles >e.g. Vix Krater
-HYDRIA}large water jar w three handles>e.g. Pesaro Hydria
—->used as votive offerings during funerals, ceremonies, festivals etc (found at important sites-temples)

Question 3

Painted Vases

Answer 3

in laconinam III style, depicting mythology scenes
-i.e. Vessels and KLYIX}drinking cup

Question 4

Ivory Carving

Answer 4

Ivory imported from East(Syria/Pheonix)>artistic influence from the East
-Ivory carvings are small statuettes of crouching animals

Question 5

Bone Carvings

Answer 5

took over ivory carvings when supplies of ivory stopped bc of disturbances in the East
-depict motifs i.e. dancers/mythical figures

Question 6

Architecture in Sparta

Answer 6

Sparta lacked major public buildings(like in athens)
> bc of their militaristic focus and simple, functional way of life
evident by:
SKIAS}’canopy’ or roof
STOA}roofed walkway w columns and wall on either side

Question 7

the Menalion

Answer 7

shrine of heroes Menelaus & Helen of Troy
-with blue and white limestone

Question 8

the Amyklaion

Answer 8

sanctury of Apollo in village Amyclae
-most significant temple, religious centre
-features colonades

Question 9

Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia

Answer 9

very important site for religious practices of Sparta
-featured doric columns and stone lion
-housed important ceremonies like theft of cheeses and cult of artemis orthia

Question 10

Writing/Literature

Answer 10

most ancient sources on Sparta weren’t written by Sparta
ALCMAN}wrote as Spartan in Dorian dialect of common ppl
from post 2nd Messenian war
>wrote poems for
choirs—>suggests
culturally sophisticated
Sparta
>interest in love and
beauty
->e.g. The Parthenia and Maiden Song
———————————–
TYRTAEUS}wrote around time of 2nd Messenian war
>poems/songs/propaganda on political/military life—>inspiring soldiers and soothing people in political upheaval of the war
>used as marching songs and way to boost martial spirit
—>e.g. ‘Eunomia’}good
order
‘Arete’}notion of
excellence and
achieving full
potential

Question 11

Spartan Leisure Activities

Answer 11

Spartans had more leisure time on their hands bc most of their work was done by Helot population
-Chariot racing & horses
-Hunting(on mt Taygetus)
-Atheltics (running/wrestling/discuss/javelin)
-Religious festivals(music/dance)
-Feasting(religious festivals and during Sysstia/mess)
———>EMPHASIS ON PHYSICAL GAMES:refinorcing spartan formal training and values

Question 12

Marriage Customs

Answer 12

-main purpose of marriage to produce healthy babies to increase citizen numbers
-marriage not permitted until spartans reached physical prime(girls-18yo and boys 20yo)
-marriage kept secret as ‘trial marriage’ until child was produced
-‘Bride Capture’}man chose bride and carried her off