State and Law of Sparta and Ancient Greece. Ancient Sparta: features, political system, culture, history Where was the ancient Greek Sparta

Sparta was one of the most powerful states of Ancient Greece. The rest of the Greeks were amazed at the valor of the Spartans and the social structure of the city. Yes, the neighbors admired Sparta, but they were in no hurry to adopt the customs of its inhabitants. Even in those cruel times, the daily life and customs of the Spartans were perceived as harsh and excessively cruel.

Reforms of Lycurgus

At the beginning of its existence, Sparta, located in the region of Laconia, developed as a typical ancient Greek policy. Since the 6th century BC, archaeologists have noted a sharp impoverishment of the cultural layer. It was at this time that Sparta introduced the reforms proposed by the legislator Lycurgus, whose name translates as Wolf. Thanks to these transformations, the city was able to defeat neighboring Messinia and annex its fertile lands to its state.

Lycurgus - ancient Spartan legislator

From this time begins the ascent of Sparta to greatness. The city becomes the main military force of the region. The power of Sparta was due to its internal structure. Before introducing his reforms, Lycurgus visited Crete, Egypt, the Middle East and decided that the strength of the state is in the monotony of the people and their willingness to sacrifice themselves for the well-being of the Motherland.

The city resembled a military camp, where, surrounded by a large subjugated population, small free Spartan citizens lived. Perieks were called free artisans deprived of civil rights, and helots were semi-slave peasants.

Restrictions on everything

The Spartans were forbidden to travel. They could get abroad only during a military campaign. Foreigners were also not allowed into the city, who could bring innovations that posed a threat to traditions. Under the ban fell drama, science, art. An exception was made only for songs that were limited to military marches.

Sparta. Reconstruction of the appearance of the ancient city

The Spartans abandoned luxury and wealth, which Lycurgus considered the main reason for the fall of any state. Instead of the usual coins, they introduced bulky and inconvenient to use iron bars. To make the metal brittle, it was hardened in vinegar. It was forbidden to make inscriptions on tombstones. Only kings and warriors who committed a heroic deed were allowed to write a name on a stone.

"Spartan showing a drunken helot to his sons." Artist Fernand Sabatte

Citizens of the city were forbidden to drink alcohol. The Spartans specially soldered slaves and showed them to children. The young men saw how low a drunken man falls and treated wine with disgust.

Barracks instead of family

At the age of seven, Spartan boys were taken away from their parents and sent to military camps. There they prepared to become warriors. Until the age of 12, they were not given clothes; the children slept on a floor made of vines, which they themselves had to break with their bare hands. The boys were hardly fed, and they obtained food by stealing, which was encouraged. Educators believed that this is how children develop cunning and courage. However, if they were caught stealing, they were severely punished.

Children were taught to fight with a sword, to throw spears, to run fast, and to do small things on a campaign. In the process of training, the Spartans turned into universal soldiers, which had no equal in Greece.

In order for the boys to get used to blood, they were allowed the so-called cryptia. Groups of teenagers broke into the villages of helot slaves at night and robbed them. In such raids they killed the strongest men. At the age of 17, the young men were waiting for the last test. In the temple of Artemis, they were beaten on the back with wet rods. During the beating, the young man had to not make a sound. Otherwise, the recruit and his family would be dishonored.

Free Spartans

The girls also underwent training, including military training, and were a match for the guys. In those days, Spartan women were considered the freest in Greece.

When one of the Athenians said to the Spartan queen Gorgo that:

"You alone, Spartans, do what you want with your husbands"

The woman replied:

“Yes, but we alone give birth to husbands.”

Aristotle said that, unlike men, Spartan women live more freely than other Greek women. He wrote that they were daring in everyday life, physically strong, and controlling their husbands.

"Spartan girls challenge young men to a competition." Artist Edgar Degas

The main task of the Spartan woman was the birth of a healthy child, from whom a strong fighter will grow. That is why the girls went in for sports. Speaking in sports competitions, which in those days was unacceptable for girls, they practically did not wear clothes.

Conciseness and black stew

From childhood, warriors were taught to speak briefly and to the point. The historian Xenophon wrote that one can quickly wait for a word from a marble statue than from a young Spartan. The manner of expressing himself briefly and clearly began to be called conciseness in Greece, since Sparta was in the region of Laconia.

Spartan warriors. Modern reconstruction

An illustrative example of conciseness is associated with the Macedonian king Philip II. In a letter addressed to Sparta, he wrote:

"I advise you to surrender immediately, because if my army enters your lands, I will destroy your gardens, enslave people and destroy the city."

The Spartans replied shortly:

The main food of the inhabitants of Laconia was the legendary black blood stew, the exact recipe of which is now lost. It is known that its ingredients were pig's feet, blood, lentils, salt and vinegar. When the Persian king ordered the captive Spartan to cook such soup for him, he said:

“Now I understand why the Spartans go to their deaths so bravely: they prefer death than such food.”

Plutarch wrote that black soup is the food of old people. Veterans, realizing that strength is needed for service, refused their meat and gave it to young soldiers.

Modern ruins of the once great Sparta

However, nothing lasts forever. Time eats up everything, and it will not work to stop it with a harsh upbringing, rejection of money and self-sacrifice. Gradually, the star of Sparta rolled. Its citizens died in numerous wars, there were not enough soldiers even for defense.

The top of society began to violate the precepts of Lycurgus, and accumulated wealth. Neighbors with a developed economy pressed the Spartans on all fronts, but there was no strength to fight back. In 146 BC. the city became dependent on Rome, which, in memory of its former greatness, preserved its internal self-government.

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Among the many ancient Greek states, two stood out - Laconia or Laconia (Sparta) and Attica (Athens). In essence, these were antagonist states with a social system opposite to each other.

Sparta of Ancient Greece existed in the southern lands of the Peloponnese from the 9th to the 2nd century BC. e. It is notable for the fact that it was ruled by two kings. They passed on their power by inheritance. However, the real administrative power belonged to the elders. They were chosen from among respected Spartans aged at least 50 years.

Sparta on the map of Greece

It was the council that decided all state affairs. As for the kings, they performed purely military functions, that is, they were commanders of the army. Moreover, when one king went on a campaign, the second remained in the city with part of the soldiers.

An example here is the king Lycurgus, although it is not known for sure whether he was a king or simply belonged to the royal family and had great authority. The ancient historians Plutarch and Herodotus wrote that he was the ruler of the state, but did not specify what position this person held.

The activities of Lycurgus belonged to the first half of the 9th century BC. e. It was under him that laws were passed that did not give citizens the opportunity to enrich themselves. Therefore, in Spartan society there was no property stratification.

All land suitable for plowing was divided into equal plots, which were called cleres. Each family received an allotment. He provided people with barley flour, wine and vegetable oil. According to the legislator, this was quite enough to lead a normal life.

Luxury was relentlessly pursued. Gold and silver coins were even withdrawn from circulation. Crafts and trade were also banned. It was forbidden to sell agricultural surpluses. That is, under Lycurgus, everything was done so that people could not earn too much.

War was considered the main occupation of the Spartan state. It was the conquered peoples who provided the conquerors with everything necessary for life. And on the land plots of the Spartans worked slaves, who were called helots.

The entire society of Sparta was divided into military units. In each of them, joint meals were practiced or sissy. People ate from a common cauldron, and food was brought from home. During the meal, the commanders of the detachment made sure that all portions were eaten. In the event that someone ate badly and without appetite, then there was a suspicion that the person ate tightly somewhere on the side. The offender could be expelled from the detachment or punished with a large fine.

Spartan warriors armed with spears

All the men of Sparta were warriors, and they were taught the art of war from early childhood. It was believed that a mortally wounded warrior should die in silence, not even uttering a quiet groan. The Spartan phalanx, bristling with long spears, horrified all the states of ancient Greece.

Mothers and wives, seeing off their sons and husbands to the war, said: "With a shield or on a shield." This meant that the men were expected to go home either with a victory or dead. The bodies of the dead were always carried by the comrades-in-arms on shields. But those who ran away from the battlefield were awaited by universal contempt and shame. Parents, wives, and their own children turned away from them.

It should be noted that the inhabitants of Laconica (Laconia) have never been distinguished by verbosity. They were short and to the point. It was from these Greek lands that such terms as "laconic speech" and "laconicism" spread.

It must be said that Sparta of Ancient Greece had a very small population. Its number over the centuries has not consistently exceeded 10 thousand people. However, this small number of people kept all the southern and middle lands of the Balkan Peninsula in fear. And such superiority was achieved due to cruel customs.

When a boy was born in the family, the elders examined him. If the baby turned out to be too frail or sick in appearance, then he was thrown from a cliff onto sharp stones. The corpse of the unfortunate bird of prey was immediately eaten.

The customs of the Spartans were extremely cruel

Only healthy and strong children remained alive. Upon reaching the age of 7, the boys were taken away from their parents and united in small detachments. They were dominated by iron discipline. Future warriors were taught to endure pain, courageously endure beatings, unquestioningly obey their mentors.

For periods, children were not fed at all, and they had to earn their own living by hunting or stealing. If such a child was caught in someone's garden, then they were severely punished, but not for theft, but for being caught.

This barracks life continued until the age of 20. After that, the young man was given a plot of land, and he got the opportunity to start a family. It should be noted that Spartan girls were also trained in the art of war, but not in such harsh conditions as among boys.

Sunset of Sparta

Although the conquered peoples were afraid of the Spartans, they periodically rebelled against them. And the conquerors, although they had excellent military training, did not always turn out to be winners.

An example here is the uprising in Messenia in the 7th century BC. e. It was led by the fearless warrior Aristomenes. Under his leadership, several sensitive defeats were inflicted on the Spartan phalanxes.

However, there were traitors in the ranks of the rebels. Thanks to their betrayal, the army of Aristomenes was defeated, and the fearless warrior himself began a guerrilla war. One night, he made his way to Sparta, entered the main sanctuary and, wanting to shame the enemies before the gods, left on the altar the weapon taken from the Spartan warriors in battle. This shame remained in the memory of people for centuries.

In the IV century BC. e. Sparta of ancient Greece began to gradually weaken. Other peoples entered the political arena, headed by smart and talented commanders. Here one can name Philip of Macedon and his famous son Alexander of Macedon. The inhabitants of Laconica fell into complete dependence on these prominent political figures of antiquity.

Then came the turn of the Roman Republic. In 146 BC. e. The Spartans submitted to Rome. However, formally freedom was preserved, but under the complete control of the Romans. In principle, this date is considered the end of the Spartan state. It became history, but it has been preserved in the memory of people to this day.

Spartans are residents of one of the ancient Greek policies (city-states) on the territory of Ancient Greece, which existed from the 8th century BC. BC. Sparta ceased to exist after the Roman conquest of Greece in the 2nd half of the 2nd century BC. BC, but the decline of Sparta began already in the 3rd century. BC. The Spartans created an original and original civilization, strikingly different from the civilization of other ancient Greek policies, and still attracting the attention of researchers. The basis of the Spartan state was the laws of Lycurgus, the Spartan king who lived in the 7th century BC.

Nature

The Spartan state was located in the southern part of the Greek Peloponnese peninsula. The geographical position of Sparta was isolated. Sparta was located in a valley sandwiched between a river and mountains. The valley contained a large amount of fertile land, and the foothills abounded with wild fruit trees, rivers and streams.

Classes

The main occupation of the Spartans was military affairs. Craft and trade were engaged in perieks - personally free, but deprived of political rights, the inhabitants of Sparta. Helots were engaged in agriculture - the inhabitants of the lands conquered by the Spartans, turned into state slaves. In connection with the focus of the Sparatan state on the equality of all free citizens (moreover, equality not in the legal, but in the literal - everyday sense), only the manufacture of the most necessary items - clothes, utensils and other household utensils - was distributed from crafts. In connection with the military orientation of Sparta, only the manufacture of weapons and armor was at a high technical level.

Means of transport

The Spartans used horses, wagons and chariots. According to the laws of Lycurgus, the Spartans did not have the right to be sailors and fight at sea. However, in later periods, the Spartans had a navy.

Architecture

The Spartans did not recognize excesses and therefore their architecture (both external and internal decoration of buildings) was extremely functional. Naturally, with this approach, the Spartans did not create outstanding architectural structures.

Warfare

The Spartan army had a rigid organizational structure that evolved and differed in different time periods. Heavily armed foot soldiers - hoplites were recruited from the citizens of Sparta and formed the basis of the army. Each Spartan went to war with his own weapon. The set of weapons was clearly regulated, and consisted of a spear, a short sword, a round shield and armor (bronze helmet, armor and greaves). Each hoplite had a helot squire. The army also served perieks, armed with bows and slings. The Spartans did not know fortification and siege work. In the later periods of history, Sparta had a navy and won a number of naval victories, but the Spartans never paid much attention to military affairs at sea.

Sport

Spartans have been preparing for war since childhood. From the age of 7, the child was taken away from the mother, and a long and complex learning process began, lasting 13 years. This made it possible to bring up a strong, skillful and experienced warrior by the age of 20. Spartan warriors were the best in Ancient Greece. In Sparta, many types of athletic activities and competitions were practiced. Spartan girls also underwent military and athletic training, which included such sections as running, jumping, wrestling, discus and javelin throwing.

Art and literature

The Spartans despised art and literature, recognizing only music and singing. Spartan dances had a military rather than an aesthetic focus.

The science

The Spartans studied only the basics of literacy - reading, writing, military and religious songs; history, religion and traditions of Sparta. All other types of science and education (including people involved in them) were expelled from the country and banned.

Religion

In general, the Spartans adhered to the ancient Greek polytheistic religion, with the difference that fewer religious holidays were celebrated in Sparta, and they celebrated with less fanfare. To a certain extent, the role of religion in Sparta was taken over by Spartan morality.

I have long wanted to visit Sparta, to see the place where the great city of ancient Hellas once stood.

Of course, the modern city of Sparta cannot be compared with Athens; now only 15 thousand inhabitants live in it. And once they were on equal terms.

In the reports and guidebooks it is written that there is nothing special to see in Sparta, and the remains of the ancient city are collectively referred to as miserable. Well, at least the area has been preserved, unlike Ancient Athens, around which everything is built up for the most part with ugly concrete boxes. “Well,” we decided, “let’s look at what has been preserved and try to feel the atmosphere of the glorious city.”

For what? I wanted to understand in what natural conditions the famous Spartan society was formed, which almost everyone knows about. Let me remind you a little about this unusual state.

Sparta was the capital of the state of Lacedaemon, which occupied the region of Laconia, and in its best years subjugated the entire Peloponnese and dominated all of Hellas. This became possible primarily due to the extremely militarized society of the Spartans.

Spartan society was divided into full-fledged Spartans, free, but deprived of political rights perieks and disenfranchised farmers helots.

The Spartans, who were prohibited from physical labor, led and fought, the perieks traded and were engaged in crafts, and the helots cultivated the land and served the Spartans.

At the head of the state were two kings, who served as military leader and chief priest. The general leadership of the state was carried out by elected ephors. Decisions were made in gerousia- a council consisting of respected Spartans over 60 years old, and approved by the people's assembly - apelle. Spartans over 30 years of age could participate in the people's assembly.

The Spartans were a community of equals. The state strictly monitored the observance of equality, obliging all Spartans to participate in common dinners. Each Spartiate had to make his own in-kind and monetary contribution to the preparation of these dinners. If a man could not make a contribution, he was considered degraded and excluded from the community of equals. The food, by the way, was the simplest and, apparently, tasteless, since it was believed that the Spartiate should be very moderate in food and only satisfy the minimum needs. The main dish was "black stew". The name speaks for itself.

Such was the structure of the state of Lacedaemon, introduced by the legislator Lycurgus in the 9th century BC. e.

There were always few Spartans, therefore, in order to rule over the helots, a rigid, sometimes cruel, system of Spartan education was introduced. It began immediately after the birth of the Spartan. Parents brought the newborn to a special council, which examined the child. And if he found that the child was healthy and had no physical disabilities, then he handed him over to his parents for upbringing. Otherwise, the child was thrown into the abyss. Some scholars argue that this is a legend, since deposits of children's bones were not found in the relevant places. But, firstly, as a result of such selection, the number of ugly children among the Spartans was obviously minimal, and, secondly, the fact that children were thrown off a cliff does not mean that their parents did not bury them after that.

Upon reaching the age of 7, the boy was taken away from his parents and given to special detachments, such as boarding schools. There, under the guidance of respected mentors, the boys were trained in martial arts, exercised and learned to ignore difficulties and pain. The position of mentor was so respected that he was given access to any state institutions.

In addition, the boys were taught to express their thoughts concisely and accurately, as well as to read, write and count. Engaged in music and singing with them.

They slept on reed beds, fed them from hand to mouth, and they were allowed to wear clothes only from the age of 12.

Spartan girls were also taught in a similar way, but paid attention to issues of motherhood and family life. Apparently, therefore, Spartan women were considered exemplary wives in ancient Hellas. The girls lived at home, not in boarding schools.

Upon reaching about 20 years old, the young men were supposed to take part in the so-called cryptia, when the ephors declared a secret war on the helots for several days. Boys preparing to become men, armed only with knives, had to hunt down and kill especially dangerous helots. Whether this was actually practiced and whether it was every year is not known for sure, since helots also participated in the wars of Sparta along with the Spartans. And this would hardly be possible if they were killed every year. In general, stories about Spartan education are replete with examples of savagery and cruelty, but they must be treated critically, since we know about them mainly from the enemies of Sparta: the Athenians and others.

The last test for the young men was whipping them with rods in the temple of Artemis, when the priests tried to ensure that the steps of the temple were covered with the blood of the test subjects. If a young man endured the test in silence, he became a warrior. If not, then he remained among women for the rest of his life.

Active service with the Spartans lasted up to 30 years. After that, the man went to the reserve, became a full-fledged Spartiate, had to marry and have children. In case of war, he could be called. Upon reaching the age of 60, a Spartiate, if he had children and was not seen in discrediting his actions, became an elder and could be elected to the Gerousia. Since Sparta was constantly at war, then, apparently, few lived to be 60 years old.

Such a system existed in Sparta for several hundred years, until it collapsed under the influence of time and neighboring peoples. The Spartans were so confident in the strength of their troops that the city did not even have fortress walls. Thanks to this system, Sparta retained its independence from the Macedonian Empire. When the winner of all Greece, Philip, the father of Alexander the Great, approached Sparta, he sent a message to the Spartans in which he wrote: "If I capture your city, I will destroy you, your wives and children." To which he received a laconic answer: "If." Philip scratched his forehead and left Laconia. And he ordered his son to go there. Some scholars say that the Macedonians kept Sparta independent out of respect for its past. I doubt that only out of respect, it is unlikely that the Macedonians respected anything other than strength.

Formally, even the Romans recognized the independence of Sparta.

And 300 Spartans, as you know, stopped the millionth Persian army at the Thermopylae Pass. This is an unprecedented case in history.

So we couldn't help but look at Sparta.

Sparta city on the map of Greece

Laconian Valley and modern Sparta

Modern Sparta is located in the same place as in antiquity, that is, in the middle of the surprisingly flat Laconian valley.

Laconian Valley

This spacious plain has a southern exposure, from the northern winds it is closed by the mountains of Arcadia, from the east it is limited by the powerful Parnon ridge, and from the west by the even higher Taygetos. In the middle of the valley flows the full-flowing Eurotas, the river that created this valley. Because the soils of Laconia are eroded by this river, they are very fertile.

Thus, the economic base of the power of Sparta was a fertile valley with fertile lands, on which olives and various cereals were grown in ancient times. The valley of the Eurotas, now, as before, is all planted with olive trees, to which orange trees have now been added.

Now Sparta is a small but quite modern city, energetic, lively, with active traffic. And we expected to see the outback!
Modern Sparta is built up with 3-6-storey concrete houses, usual for Greece.

modern Sparta

The city has many shops and restaurants, in the evenings people walk the streets. It even seemed to us that life in it boils no worse than in the capital. However, perhaps this impression was formed, because we got to Sparta on Friday evening.

Attractions of Sparta

archaeological zone with the remains of the acropolis of ancient Sparta, open from 8 to 18.

Archaeological Museum, working hours from 8-30 to 15-00, Sunday to 14-30, Monday - day off.

Olive Museum, opening hours from 10-00 to 18-00. When you see a sea of ​​olives covering the Laconian valley, you understand why such a museum is located in Sparta.

In the city itself, perhaps, everything ...

But 6 km from modern Sparta, on the slopes of Taygetos, the ruins of a medieval city have been preserved. Mystra, "Byzantine Pompeii". This place is magnificent and worthy of a separate description. The ticket price there is 6 euros. Open from 8 to 19.30. UNESCO site.

Acropolis of ancient Sparta

The first time we went there in the evening, because the landlady of the apartment where we stayed said that the ruins are always available and the entrance is free. But the gates to the park were locked. After admiring the modern statue of King Leonidas, we returned to our home. By the way, Leonid is depicted in full armor, but dressed in a short skirt. Somehow I even felt sorry for him, because in January it is rather cold in Sparta. Merz is probably a brave king...

At 8 am the gates were already open and we left the car and went to inspect what was left of its former grandeur.

It turned out that the place itself is wonderful. From the gate, a wide, smooth path of white stone leads deep into the park of old, gnarled olive trees. The weather was favorable to us, it was sunny, bees were flying in the green grass, and the sky was bright blue.

First we came to the remains of the Agora, or market stalls. The area is small, apparently, shopping was not very interested in the Spartans.

Then the park stretched again.

Among the park from time to time came across the remains of buildings from different times. Something survived from the Greeks, something from the Romans, something from the Byzantines.

The trail ended at the edge of a cliff. We ourselves did not notice how we ended up on the top of the hill, although during the walk we did not even feel that we were going up (here in Athens, the climb up the hill to the Acropolis is very felt).

In this place, not low olives grow, but mighty pines and eucalyptus trees. (Here, eucalyptus trees could have been removed, since in ancient times these Australian trees were definitely not here).

Here are the ruins of the temple of Athena Chalkos

The theater of ancient Sparta was located on a steep hillside. Judging by the size of the theater, the Spartans, like other Hellenes, loved to enjoy performances of the plays of Sophocles or Euripides. The theater was large, and the majestic snow-capped peaks of Taygetos serve as its backdrop. Impressive picture.

The main square of ancient Sparta is large, and many lying columns and stone blocks testify that worthy buildings once stood here.

I didn’t even have a thought about any “pity” of the ruins. Vice versa. They are no worse than other Greek ruins. It is sad that until now there has not been any enthusiast with money, like Schliemann or Evans, who would restore the walls and put up the columns. And then the ruins of Sparta would appear in a completely different form.

Here you can also find cliffs from which the elders could throw off weak children, and, on the contrary, bless the strong ones, raising them to the rays of the setting sun.

In some places, the remains of walls have been preserved, but they were erected already under the Romans.

In general, contrary to popular belief, the ruins of Sparta made a wonderful impression on me. Public buildings fully corresponded to the significance of this city. How nice it must have been to live in small but comfortable houses, in the middle of an olive grove, with beautiful temples and a spacious theater at hand.

Having visited Sparta, I can say that my expectations were exceeded by an order of magnitude.

The ruins turned out to be significant and interesting, and the place itself fantastic. And, it seems, I was imbued with the spirit of this wonderful place.

Due to lack of time, we did not visit the archaeological museum. So now we are planning a new trip to the Peloponnese, with a mandatory visit to Sparta.

The glory of ancient Sparta is great and a history lover should definitely visit its ruins.

How to get to Sparta and where to stay

Sparta is easily accessible by public transport. There is a bus from Athens to Sparta, the journey time is 3 hours. See the current schedule on the website https://www.ktel-lakonias.gr/el-gr/routes/yperastika

The nearest major city to Sparta is Tripoli. The bus from Tripoli to Sparta takes 45 minutes.

From Sparta itself, you can get to Mistra in 15 minutes by bus.

In Sparta, we stayed in a rented apartment that we booked on the Airbnb website. The apartment was in the very center, we paid 30 euros per night. If you don't have an Airbnb account yet, you can use an invitation link that will give you a €25 bonus on your first booking, provided it's at least €70.

The hotel will cost a little more, but the conditions may be more comfortable.