Sparta syllabus outline and sources Flashcards
(24 cards)
What was the geographical context of this city.
Provide three sources.
Sparta was located in the flourishing lands of the Peloponnesian Peninsula, surrounded by the Mediterranean sea. It had the defence of mountain ranges, and made up of four villages.
- Strabo- Fertility “greater than words can express”
- Marble stones found at Mount Taygetus
- Animal sacrifices of lambs
Name three significant sites, why they’re significant, and provide sources for each
Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia- dedicated to Orthia- goddess of fertility and later became a religious education centre for children
- Small votive statues made as offerings
- Pausanias said priestess oversaw stealing of the cheese ceremony
Amyklaion- Apollo god of sun and oracles, festival of Hyakinthia held here
- Figures and figurines
- Coins with a likeness of the statue of Apollo
Menelaion- dedicated to king and queen of Sparta
- Pottery fragments
Why is Lycurgus so important, and why is there controversy surrounding him?
Provide two sources
Lycurgus was the legendary lawgiver of Sparta, who created the Great Rhetra, a Spartan Constitution. He is the reason Sparta was so notorious, however, there is not proof he was actually real.
- Michell- “the very existence of L is strongly open to doubt”
Name and elaborate on the three aspects which the kings held power in.
Provide two sources which demonstrate their power
Military- supreme commanders, one king went to battle, the other stayed
Religious- highest religious leaders in Sparta
Judicial- had power over adoptions, public roads and the marriage
- Xenophon- “responsible for the safe-keeping of all oracles”
- Statues of Spartan kings
Name and describe the three levels of the Government.
Provide two sources
Ephorate- five men, acted as overseers, could put king on trial
- Plutarch- “strengthened the aristocracy”
Gerousia- 28 over 60 yr men and 2 kings, life membership, presented bills
- Aristotle- “known to have taken bribes”
Ekklesia- 30 male true citizens voted on bills
They voted by acclamation
Name the four hierarchal aspects of social structure and provide a source for each
Spartiates, Perioikoi, Helots, Inferiors
Spartiates were men who completed the Agoge, were 30 and hence obtained full citizenship. AKA Hoplites (soldiers)
- Laconian cup of two soldiers carrying a fallen soldier
Perioikoi were craftsmen, manufacturers and farmers
- Figurines of perioikoi workers
Helots were slaves. Males worked on Kleros, females were wet nurses and housekeepers
- Cartledge, “fear helot revolt”
Inferiors were forbidden from Sparta, for a disgrace. Four categories, and they were “trembellers”- Herdoduts
Name three sources which summarise the role of the army
- Thucydides, “submitted to the most laborious training”
- Corinthian Vase of Hoplites fighting
- Tyrtaeus, “It is a beautiful thing when a good man dies fighting”
What was the Agoge? Provide a quote
The Agoge was military education system designed or Spartan boys and young men
Plutarch- “well disciplined and steadfast in hardship and victorious in battle”
What was the role of women? Provide four sources for this
Women held a freedom astonishing for ancient times. They were allowed to own businesses, do sport, and their main function of bearing healthy children, fit for becoming Spartiates was their main concern.
- Spartan female athlete bronze statuette
- Plutarch, “encouraged and trained to speak in public”
- Cult of Artemis Orthia- associated growth and fertility (religion)
- Cartledge, “entitled to own & manage property”
Name the three types of technology, providing three sources
Pottery, weapons, armour
- Kylix cups
- Recovered helmet
- Recovered hoplon
What did Spartan’s use to fuel their economy? Provide a source
Iron bars
- Plutarch- “who would rob another of such?”
What did the trade scene look like? Provide a source
The trade scene was flourishing, particularly revolving around the craftsmanship of the Perioikoi, and the resources of the Mediterranean sea. Moreover, the access to sea, allowed for open ports.
- Discovered ship contained Laconian pottery and bronze work, including perfume, mugs and bowls
Name the three gods/ goddesses which are central tp Sparta, their purpose, and provide a source for each
Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia- goddess of hunting, nature, fertility and childbirth
- Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia, votive statues made from lead recovered
Poseidon- god of earth and sea
- Shrine of Poseidon
Apollo- god of protection
- Pausanias tells us that bronze statue of Apollo stood at temple of Apollo at Amyclae
Name the two subjects of myths and legends, provide some background, and two sources for each.
Lycurgus- created the Great Rhetra, a Spartan constitution, but his existence is strongly questioned
- J.M. Michell- “the very existence of L is strongly open to doubt”
- Plutarch- “after his death a temple was built with annual sacrifices”
Dioscuri- mythical town princesses who were athletes
- White marble relief of the Dioscuri
- Votive offerings
Name one of three religious festivals, details, and provide two sources.
Hyakinthia was dedicated to the god Apollo, established from the story of Apollo accidentally killed Hyakinthos with a discus, and his body was buried at Amyklaeon. Apollo bought him back as a flower. The festival was about mourning, with dances, feasts and rights. It was a thanksgiving for life.
- Statue of Apollo
- Hooker asserted the festival was a ritual for the dead and a thanksgiving of life
Name one of three religious festivals, details, and provide two sources.
Gymnopaedia was a festival which re-enforced the improtance of the Spartan army. It was held during summer and involved athletic competitions and displays, as well as musical performances.
- Plutarch- “terrific endurance”
- Pausanias- “the lads perform dances in honour of Apollo”
Name one of three religious festivals, details, and provide two sources.
Karneia was a harvest festival which served to predict the omen for the future year. Karnos was a ram-god who combined with Apollo, who was seen responsible for giving good omens. The most significant practice was a footrace, if the runner was caught, it meant good omens.
- Coins of the Karneia bull
- Black vase figures depicting woman and man dancing
Name the four sources which provide insight into funerary customs and rituals in Sparta
- Two storey tombs
- Plutarch- “To inscribe the name of the dead upon the tomb was not allowed, unless it were that of a man who had fallen in war, or that of a woman who had died in sacred office.”
- Portraits of carrying dead soldier, exhibiting the honour of dying in battle
- Discovery of bones buried in jars
- Herodotus- “News of the [king’s] death is carried by riders”
Name the three aspects of art, and provide evidence
Sculptures, printed vases, bone and ivory carvings
- Hero and worshipers marble grave relief (stone sculpture)
- Over 200 ivory carvings at Orthia (bone and ivory)
- Female Spartan girl (bronze works)
- Kylix of a king and his servants (vase painting)
- Kylix depicting tiny fish and dolphins
Name three major architectural sites, and provide sources.
Amyklaion, Menelaion, Sacntuary of Artmeis Orthia
- Enclosing statue of Apollo were four walls decorated with a continuous frieze, each depicting scenes from Spartan mythology (amyklaion)
- Blue limestone, white marble, terrace, displaying large dedications (menelaion)
- Built with wood, brick and stone foundations (sanctuary of artemis orthia)
Name the two significant people who provided writings and literature. Provide a quote from each
Alcman
- “Now sleep the mountain peaks and the ravines, ridges and torrent streams”
Tyrtaeus
- “Rise up, warriors, take your stand at one another’s sides, your feet set wide and rooted like oaks in the ground”
List three of the Greek writers, their opinions on Sparta, and provide a quote from their work
Herodotus, positive view, “the finest soldiers in the world, a true force to be reckoned with.”
Aristotle, negative view, “they go about it completely the wrong way.”
Plutarch, neutral view, “terrific endurance”
List what everyday life comprised of, provide four sources.
Athletics, hunting, cockfighting, food and clothing
- Bronze spartan girl figurine (athletics and clothing)
- Laconian vases show gatherings, dancing and sacrificial rituals. (athletics)
- A kylix (type of cup in Ancient Greece)- decorated with a scene of people at a feast (food)
- Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia-ivory brooches found (clothing)
Provide two sources on marriage aspects of Sparta
- Plutarch, “Men married the girls by kidnapping them… when they had reached their full prime.”
- Plutarch, “Cropped her hair close to her head, clothed her in a man’s cloak and sandals, and left her lying on a pallet in the dark.”
