Power point 5 sparta
Transcript of Power point 5 sparta
THE RISE OFGREEK
CIVILIZATION
Chapter 2
Sparta’s Growing Problems
Overpopulation Not enough land
Greed
First Messenian War
Sparta invaded Messenia for land, resources
Took control of land AND people
Messenians = Helots Messenians were
enslaved
Forced to work their land for Spartans
Helots outnumbered Spartans 10 to 1
Second Messenian War Helots rebelled
Argos + other Peloponnesian cities helped the Helots
Long, bitter war; nearly destroyed Sparta
Sparta won – but reevaluated lifestyle
Result: a Spartan military state
The Spartan Way of Life
A Disciplined Life
No fancy homes
No special foods or treats
Not much meat, wine
Spartans did NOT use money “Coins lead to greed,
corruption”
Used metal rods instead
Often bartered goods, services
Fit for the State? Spartans trained from birth
to serve polis
Babies evaluated
Weak babies killed or abandoned
Strong boys begin military training: age 7
Living for the State
Join army = age 20
Training:
Athletics, military arts, deprivation, pain, survival tactics (theft ok)
Live in barracks until age 30
Food from soldier’s land, farmed by Helots
Spartan Men
Marry = age 30
Became “equals” (citizens) = age 30
Retire from army = age 60
A Spartan Woman sends her Son off to War
As a Spartan soldier prepared to leave for battle, his wife or mother would hand him his shield and say, “ Carrying it or on it.”
In other words, “Come home victoriously (‘carrying the shield)’ , or dead because you gave your life for Sparta (‘on the shield’).”
Under no circumstances was a Spartan soldier to return home because he ran away from the fight.
Spartan Armor
Spartan Women
No military training for girls
Trained in athletics
Gymnastics, running, wrestling, discus
Shorter dresses so they could run easily
Goal for Spartan Women
“Serve Sparta.”
“Bear strong, warrior sons.”
Could travel freely
Influential
Spartan Priorities Serve needs of the polis first
Personal honor, family pride come second
Sacrifice privacy, comfort to produce soldiers
Win glory, respect through bravery in war
Sparta’s Innovative Government Mixed regime combining monarchy,
oligarchy, democracy
monarchy = rule by one
oligarchy = rule by a few
democracy = rule by many
Sparta’s Monarchy Two kings, served at the same
time
Usually from rival families
Kept each king from becoming too strong
Religious and military responsibilities
Led army into battle
Sparta’s Oligarchy
Sparta’s Council of Elders
Council of nobles + both kings
28 men – over the age of 60
Members of council elected for life
Heard court cases involving kings
Debated law with elders, kings, magistrates (judges)
Sparta’s Democracy
The Assembly:
Men over the age of 30
Ratified laws and council decisions
Elected board of ephors annually
The Board of Ephors Check power of the kings
Control foreign policy
Oversee generalship of kings fighting wars
Preside at the assembly
Guard against Helot rebellion
The Peloponnesian League
Sparta Looks for Help Preoccupied with Helots
Stable government, life
Worried about neighbors
Might invade – or incite Helots to rebel
Decided to strike a “deal”
Tegea Sparta invaded Tegea; took no
land/slaves
Proposed alliance:
Keep land and freedom Follow our lead in foreign affairs Supply soldiers on demand
Struck alliance with most poleis on Peloponnesus
Creation of the Peloponnesian League
Leader of alliance
United like-minded Greeks
Guaranteed Sparta’s security
Sparta became most powerful polis