Survey

Question 1

Spartan terms

Answer 1

Laconian: Sparta is on the plain of Laconia
Lacedaemonians: referred to the borad political unit of sparta
Peloponnesians: Peloponnese is the peninsula where Sparta existed
Dorians: refers to Spartans ethnic origins

Question 2

Site of Sparta

Answer 2

• no city center, collection of rural communities
• never enclosed by fortified wall (‘wall’ = army)
• Acropolis (not fortified) home to Temple of Athena

Written evidence: (Pausanias)

• city centre was the agora and 2 gymnasia
• 63 temples/sancturies/sacred areas
• 24 statues of Gods
• 20 hero shrines
• main road (south from agora)

Question 3

Natural features

Answer 3

3 mt ranges provided defensive barrier:

• Taygetus (West) dominant mt, hunting ground for Spartans, spring located at base
• Parnon (East)
• Arcadian (North)

Eurotas river:

• provided water
• created fertile land for farms (laconian plain)
• allowed contact with eastern mediterranean through port of Gytheum

Modern sources:
Fitzhardinge says that natural defense (mts) meant they did not need to fortify the city

Robinson describes Spartas unique natural resources as an “earthly paradise”

Question 4

Resources

Answer 4

Stone:

• Porphyry (hard green stone)
• Marble (from mt Taygetus)

Minerals and ores:

• Iron
• Lead and Clay
• Copper, Tin, Bronze

Food and animals:

• crops: barley, wheat, grapes, figs, olives
• Sheep + goats: wool, meat + dairy
• Pigs: meat + black broth (soup from blood)
• Chickens: eggs
• Hare + wild boars: hunted in mt
• Gytheum shellfish: red dye for clothing