Geographical Features
What country was Sparta located in?
Greece
How many kings ruled Sparta at the same time?
Two
What were full Spartan citizens called?
Spartiates
What was the name of Sparta's education and training system?
The agoge
What does the Plutarch quote "Return with your shield, or on it." mean?
To die honourably was in battle
What region was Sparta located in?
Laconia
What was the main job of Spartan kings during wartime?
Leading the army
What group worked the land for the Spartans?
Helots
At what age did Spartan boys usually begin the agoge?
Seven years old
Explain this Plutarch quote attributed to Lycurgus: "The city is well fortified which has a wall of men instead of brick."
The men are so elite in their training they can protect Sparta with their own bodies
What river flowed through the centre of Sparta?
What were the names of Sparta's two royal families?
The Agiad and Eurypontid dynasties
What group were free people but not Spartan citizens? What were their main roles?
Perioikoi - craftsmen, labourers, soldiers, etc
Name two important qualities the agoge aimed to develop.
Discipline, obedience, state-focused loyalty, military strength
What does Aristotle say about womens' land ownership?
"Nearly two-fifths of the whole country is in the hands of women."
What mountain range formed Sparta's western border?
Mount Taygetus
Which group of five elected officials could supervise and even put Spartan kings on trial?
The Ephors
Why were helots important to Spartan society?
They provided food so Spartans could focus on military service.
What were the compulsory common dining groups for Spartan men called and how many men dined in these?
Syssitia - around 15 men
Why is Plutarch not necessarily very reliable?
Wrote over 700 years after classical Sparta. Interested in teaching moral lessons rather than writing objective history, so he sometimes included anecdotes of uncertain accuracy.
How did Sparta's geography help defend the city-state?
The mountains and rocky terrain protected Sparta from invasion. It was located 42+km from the coast.
Name TWO roles and TWO privileges of the kings
Roles:
Privileges:
How did Spartan women contribute to the stability of Spartan society?
Their economic and social responsibilities helped maintain the Spartan state while men served in the military.
What was the name of the secret organisation that tested young Spartans and helped control the helot population?
The kyrpteia
What bias was Aristotle bringing to his writing?
Critical of Sparta's political system. Believed its institutions had contributed to Sparta's decline, particularly criticising women, land ownership, and education.