Spartan Army

Question 1

Purpose/Role of Army

Answer 1

Spartan army was paramount to protect and preserve Spartan way of life

• Military role: Operating through Peloponesian league the Spartan army was responsible for the defense of Sparta and her allies from any external threat whether it be Greek or Persian
• Civic role: Spartiates (warriors) made decisions regarding war and peace as members of assembly (Ekklesia)
• Domestic role: to control/suppress vast Helot pop and maintain Homoioi as ruling elite
• Economic role: the consumers of goods produced by Peroikoi and Helots
• Idealogical role: transmitters of military values i.e: heroism, unity, loyalty, obedience, sacrifice

Question 2

Ideals

Answer 2

• Kalos Thanatos (the beautiful death), meant to die in battle
• Cowardice was punished by lowering of social status to tresantes (those who tremble)
• Spartan ideals aimed at producing a strong fighting force of warriors who were willing to die for the state

Evidence:

• Demaratus (spartan king) commented on strength “never to retreat in battle, however great the odds, but always to stand firm, and conquer or die”
• Tyrtaeus (spartan poet) “Make the spirit in your heart strong and valiant, and do not be in love with life when you are a fighting man”
• “with your shield or on it”

Question 3

Spartan Hoplite Armour

Answer 3

• Corinthian style helmet with feathers
• Red cape (not worn in battle)
• Hoplon: bronze shield convex shape to not absorb full weight of enemy thrust
• Leather greaves: shin guards
• Xiphon: short stabbing sword
• Doru: Long thrusting spear 3m

Question 4

Phalanx

Answer 4

• Hoplite phalanx (battle formation) made up of lines of heavily armed infantry soldiers (8-12 lines deep)
• Formation advanced with interlocked shields , pushing against opponent
• First few ranks projected their spear
• The Anastrofi (u turn) tactical fake retreat used to lure opponent (thermopylae) followed by fast u turn, reformation and fast march

Question 5

Strengths and weaknesses of Spartan Army

Answer 5

Strengths

• Hoplite phalanx
• High level of preparedness
• Ability to raise forces from Helots/peroikoi
• Military reputation ensured leadership of allies within the Peloponnesian league

Weaknesses

• Lacked sufficient cavalry
• Inflexible training and tactics
• Vulnerable to archers, slingers and javelins
• Manpower shortages (especially 4th century)

Question 6

Spartan Mirage

Answer 6

• Mirage = idealised view of perfect militaristic society
• Herodotus notes Spartan coward at Thermopylae historiographical issue as cowardice is supposedly worst possible outcome
• Thucydides notes a group of Spartans who surrendered to Athenians during the Peloponnesian war

Question 7

Agoge

Answer 7

• Spartan education system
• Designed to create fierce warriors and instill ideals of patriotism, loyalty, obedience and comradeship
• Spartan boys inspected at birth by government official, if not approved left on Mt Taygetus

Evidence

• Plato states that Spartans were educated ‘not by persuasion but by violence’
• Plutarch “their whole education was aimed ay developing smart obediance, perseverance under stress and victory in battle”
• Cartledge on agoge: “concerted effot to minimize the importance of family life and to emphasise rather the cardinal and overiding signifigance of communal ties”

Question 8

Agoge: Ages 7-12

Answer 8

• Children taught by mothers until age 7, emphasis placed on strength and obediance
• At 7, enrolled in a barrack where a paidonomos (trainer in chief) would administer severe whippings
• At 10, boys took part in competitive exercises, music, dancing and athletics

Question 9

Agoge: Ages 12-18

Answer 9

• Full training entered (harsh)
• Basic necessary reading and writing taught, music and dance regarded as essential
• Hair cut short
• 1 garment for year
• Barefoot and exercised naked
• Slept on bed of rushes
• Given little food as belief was that simple diet made taller, healthier people
• Stealing food taught self reliance and stealth

Question 10

Agoge: Ages 18-23

Answer 10

• Emphasis on developing military skills
• At 19 enrolled in eiren class, trained younger boys
• Eirens applied for membership in mess
• Became a soldier but not frontline
• Could marry but was restricted to barrack life (forced to meet wife in secrecy)
• Elite few joined Krypteia
• Graduated at 23 (full time soldier)

Question 11

Spartiate: Ages 30-60

Answer 11

• Eligible for full time military service
• Could live openly with wife + family
• Forced to marry (if not already)
• Allowed to grow hair
• Entered full citizenship, Ekklesia
• Dined at Syssition daily
• Eligible for Gerousia at 60