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Sparta. The ancient state on the territory of Greece, the history of Sparta briefly, the political system of ancient Sparta, customs, life in Sparta

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. Geographical position 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, dishes and other household utensils. 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 more late 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 was tough organizational structure, which 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.

Sparta was the main state Dorian tribe. Her name already plays a role in the legend of the Trojan War, since Menelaus, Helen's husband, because of which the war of the Greeks with the Trojans flared up, was the Spartan king. The history of later Sparta began with Dorians conquest of the Peloponnese under the leadership of the Heraclides. Of the three brothers, one (Temen) received Argos, the other (Cresfont) - Messenia, the sons of the third (Aristodem) Proclus And Eurysthenes - Laconia. There were two royal families in Sparta, who descended from these heroes through their sons. Agisa And Eurypont(Agides and Eurypontides).

Genus Heraclides. Scheme. Two dynasties of Spartan kings - in the lower right corner

But all this was just folk tales or conjectures of Greek historians, which do not have full historical accuracy. Among such legends, one should also include most of the legend, which was very popular in antiquity, about the legislator Lycurgus, whose life time was attributed to the 9th century. and to whom directly attributed the entire Spartan device. Lycurgus, according to legend, was the youngest son of one of the kings and the guardian of his young nephew Charilaus. When the latter himself began to rule, Lycurgus went on a wandering, visiting Egypt, Asia Minor and Crete, but had to return to his homeland at the request of the Spartans, who were dissatisfied with internal strife and with their king Harilaus himself. Lycurgus was instructed draw up new laws for the state, and he took up the matter, asking the advice of the Delphic oracle. The Pythia told Lycurgus that she did not know whether to call him a god or a man, and that his decrees would be the best. Having finished his work, Lycurgus took an oath from the Spartans that they would fulfill his laws until he returned from a new trip to Delphi. The Pythia confirmed her previous decision to him, and Lycurgus, having sent this answer to Sparta, took his own life, so as not to return to his homeland. The Spartans honored Lycurgus as a god, and built a temple in his honor, but in essence Lycurgus was originally a deity who later turned into a popular fantasy in the mortal legislator of Sparta. The so-called legislation of Lycurgus was kept in memory in the form of short sayings (retros).

102. Laconia and its population

Laconia occupied the southeastern part of the Peloponnese and consisted of the river valley Eurota and limiting it from the west and east of the mountain ranges, of which the western one was called Tayget. In this country there were arable lands, and pastures, and forests in which a lot of game was found, and in the mountains of Taygetus there were a lot of iron; out of him locals made weapons. There were few cities in Laconia. In the center of the country near the bank of the Eurotas lay Sparta, otherwise called Lacedaemon. It was a combination of five settlements, which remained unfortified, while in other Greek cities there was usually a fortress. In essence, however, Sparta was the real a military camp that held the whole of Laconia in obedience.

Laconia and Sparta on the map of the ancient Peloponnese

The population of the country consisted of descendants Dorian conquerors and the Achaeans they conquered. First, spartans, were alone full citizens states, the latter were divided into two classes: some were called helots and were serfs, subordinate, however, not to individual citizens, but to the entire state, while others were called perieks and represented personally free people, but standing to Sparta in relation subjects without any political rights whatsoever. Most of the land was considered common property of the state, of which the latter gave the Spartans separate plots for subsistence (clear), originally former approximately the same size. These plots were cultivated by the helots for a certain dues, which they paid in kind in the form of the greater part of the collection. The Periecs were left part of their land; they lived in cities, engaged in industry and trade, but in general in Laconia these studies were underdeveloped: already at the time when other Greeks had a coin, in this country, as an instrument of exchange, were used iron bars. Perieki were obliged to pay tax to the state treasury.

Theater ruins in ancient Sparta

103. Military organization of Sparta

Sparta was military state, and its citizens were primarily warriors; the perieks and helots were also involved in the war. Spartans, divided into three phyla with division into phratries, in an era of prosperity there were only nine thousand for 370 thousand perieks and helots, whom they by force kept under their power; The main occupations of the Spartans were gymnastics, military exercises, hunting and war. Education and lifestyle in Sparta were directed to be always ready against the possibility helot uprisings, which actually flared up from time to time in the country. The mood of the helots was monitored by detachments of youth, and all suspicious were ruthlessly killed. (cryptia). The Spartan did not belong to himself: the citizen was above all a warrior, all life(actually up to the age of sixty) obligated to serve the state. When a child was born in the family of a Spartan, he was examined to see if he would later be fit to carry military service, and frail babies were not left to live. From the age of seven to eighteen, all the boys were brought up together in state "gymnasiums", where they were taught gymnastics and exercised in military affairs, as well as taught singing and playing the flute. The upbringing of Spartan youth was severe: boys and youths were always dressed in light clothes, walked barefoot and bareheaded, ate very poorly and were subjected to cruel corporal punishment, which they had to endure without screaming and groaning. (They were flogged for this on purpose in front of the altar of Artemis).

Spartan army warrior

Adults also could not live as they wanted. And in Peaceful time the Spartans were divided into military partnerships, even having dinner together, for which the participants in common tables (sissy) they brought in a certain amount of different products, and their food was necessarily the most coarse and simple (the famous Spartan stew). The state watched that no one shied away from the execution general rules And did not deviate from the way of life prescribed by law. Each family had their own allotment from common state land, and this plot could neither be divided, nor sold, nor left under a spiritual will. Between the Spartans was to dominate equality; they so bluntly called themselves "equal" (ομοιοί). luxury in privacy persecuted. For example, when building a house, it was possible to use only an ax and a saw, with which it was difficult to make anything beautiful. Spartan iron money could not buy anything from the products of industry in other states of Greece. Moreover, the Spartans were not allowed to leave their country, and foreigners were forbidden to live in Laconia (xenelasia). The Spartans did not care about mental development. Eloquence, which was so valued in other parts of Greece, was out of use in Sparta, and Laconian laconic ( conciseness) even became a proverb among the Greeks. The Spartans became the best warriors in Greece - hardy, persistent, disciplined. Their army consisted of heavily armed infantry (hoplites) with lightly armed auxiliary detachments (from the helots and part of the perieks); they did not use cavalry in their wars.

Ancient spartan helmet

104. The structure of the Spartan state

105. Spartan conquests

This military state set out on the path of conquest very early. The increase in the number of inhabitants forced the Spartans look for new lands from which one could make new allotments for citizens. Having gradually mastered the whole of Laconia, Sparta in the third quarter of the 8th century conquered Messenia [First Messenian War] and its inhabitants too turned into helots and perieks. Part of the Messenians moved out, but the rest did not want to put up with someone else's domination. In the middle of the 7th century they rebelled against Sparta [Second Messenian War], but were again subdued. The Spartans made an attempt to extend their power towards Argolis, but were at first repulsed by Argos and only later took possession of part of the coast of Argolis. More luck they had in Arcadia, but having already made the first conquest in this area (the city of Tegea), they did not annex it to their possessions, but entered into with the inhabitants military alliance under its leadership. This marked the beginning of a great Peloponnesian Union(symmachy) under Spartan supremacy (hegemony). To this symmachy, little by little, all the parts arcadia, and also Elis. Thus, by the end of the VI century. Sparta stood at the head of almost the entire Peloponnese. Symmachy had an allied council, in which issues of war and peace were decided under the chairmanship of Sparta, and Sparta also owned the very leadership in the war (hegemony). When the Persian Shah undertook the conquest of Greece, Sparta was the most powerful Greek state and therefore could become the head of the rest of the Greeks in the fight against Persia. But already during this struggle she had to yield superiority to Athens.

Ancient Sparta

Sparta - main city the region of Laconia (the southeastern part of the Peloponnese), the most Doric of all the states of Ancient Greece. Ancient Sparta was located on the western bank of the Eurotas River and extended north from the modern city of Sparta. Laconia is the abbreviated name of the area, which was fully called Lacedaemon, therefore the inhabitants of this area were often called “Lacedaemonians”, which is almost equivalent to the words “Spartan” or “Spartiate”.

Sparta, whose name may mean "scattered" (other interpretations are also suggested), consisted of estates and estates scattered over the area, the center of which was a low hill, which later became the acropolis. Initially, the city did not have walls and remained true to this principle until the 2nd century BC. BC. During the excavations of the British School of Athens (carried out in 1906-1910 and 1924-1929), the remains of several buildings were discovered, including the sanctuary of Artemis Orthia, the temple of Athena Mednodomnaya and the theater. The theater was built of white marble and, according to Pausanias, who described the buildings of Sparta c. 160 AD, was a “landmark”, but this stone building dates back to the era of Roman rule. From the low acropolis, a magnificent view of the Evrota Valley and the majestic Mount Taygetus, rising steeply to a height of 2406 m and forming the western border of Sparta, opened.

Many historians believe that Sparta arose relatively late, after the “Dorian invasion”, which supposedly took place between 1150 and 1100 BC. Initially, the invaders settled in or near the cities they conquered, and often destroyed, but a century later they created their own "capital" near the river Evrota. Since during the period to which most historians attribute Trojan War(c. 1200 BC), Sparta had not yet arisen, the myth of the abduction by Paris of Helen, the wife of the Spartan king Menelaus, was probably attributed to Sparta. In neighboring Terapny, where there was Big City the Mycenaean era, there was a sanctuary of Menelaion, and until the classical period, the cult of Menelaus and Helen was sent.

Population growth and related economic and social problems inspired the Spartans to expand outside. Excluding the one founded in Italy in the 8th century. BC. the colony of Tarentum Sparta expanded only at the expense of Greece proper. During the 1st and 2nd Messenian Wars (between 725 and 600 BC), Messenia was conquered to the west of Sparta, and the Messenians were turned into helots, i.e. state slaves. Evidence of Spartan activity is the legend of how the inhabitants of Elis, with the support of Sparta, managed to win control of the Olympic Games from their rivals, the inhabitants of Pisa. The first recorded victory of the Spartans in Olympia is the victory of Akanthos in running at the 15th Olympiad (720 BC). For more than a century, Spartan athletes have dominated the Olympic Games, achieving 46 victories out of 81 recorded in the annals.

Having won another part of the territory from Argos and Arcadia, Sparta moved from a policy of conquest to building up its power through the conclusion of agreements with various states. As the head of the Peloponnesian Union (began to emerge c. 550 BC, took shape c. 510–500 BC), Sparta actually dominated the entire Peloponnese, with the exception of Argos and Achaia on the northern coast, and .e. became the most powerful military power in Greece. Thus, a force was created that became a counterweight to the impending invasion of the Persians, the combined efforts of the Peloponnesian League and Athens with their allies led to a decisive victory over the Persians at Salamis and Plataea in 480 and 479 BC.

The conflict between the two greatest states of Greece, Doric Sparta and Ionian Athens, land and sea power, was inevitable, and in 431 BC. erupted Peloponnesian War. Ultimately, in 404 BC. Sparta prevailed, and the Athenian power perished. Dissatisfaction with Spartan dominance in Greece led to a new war. The Thebans and their allies, led by Epaminondas, inflicted a heavy defeat on the Spartans at Leuctra (371 BC) and at Mantinea (362 BC), after which, if we forget about short bursts of activity and random periods of takeoff, Sparta became lose its former power.

Under the tyrant Nabid c. 200 BC or soon after Sparta was surrounded by a wall, at the same time a stone theater appeared. During the period of Roman rule, which began in 146 BC, Sparta turned into a large and prosperous provincial city, defensive and other structures were erected here. Sparta flourished until 350 AD. In 396 the city was destroyed by Alaric.

Of particular importance in world history is the influence exerted on later government systems political and social structure of Sparta. At the head of the Spartan state were two kings, one from the Agids clan, the other from the Eurypontides clan, which was probably originally associated with the union of the two tribes. The two kings held meetings together with the gerousia, i.e. Council of Elders, to which 28 people over 60 were elected for life. All Spartans who had reached the age of 30 and had enough funds to perform what was considered necessary for a citizen (in particular, contribute their share to participate in joint meals, fiditiya) participated in the national assembly (apella). Later, the institution of ephors arose, five officials who were elected by the assembly, one from each region of Sparta. The five ephors acquired power that surpassed that of the kings (perhaps after the exercise of this office by Chilo c. 555 BC). To prevent uprisings of the helots who had a numerical superiority and to maintain the combat readiness of their own citizens, secret sorties (they were called cryptia) were constantly arranged to kill the helots.

Surprisingly, the type of civilization that is now called Spartan is not typical of early Sparta. The excavations carried out by the British confirmed the theory put forward by historians on the basis of written monuments that before 600 BC. Spartan culture generally coincided with the way of life of the then Athens and other Greek states. Fragments of sculptures, fine pottery, figurines of ivory, bronze, lead and terracotta found in this area testify to high level Spartan culture, just like the poetry of Tyrtaeus and Alcman (7th century BC). However, shortly after 600 BC. there was a sudden change. Art and poetry disappear, the names of Spartan athletes no longer appear on the lists of Olympic winners. Before these changes made themselves felt, the Spartan Gitiades built the “copper house of Athena” (the temple of Athena Poliuhos); 50 years later, on the contrary, foreign craftsmen Theodore of Samos and Batikl from Magnesia had to be invited to build, respectively, the Skiada (probably a meeting room) in Sparta and the temple of Apollo Hyacinthius in Amikla. Sparta suddenly became a military camp, and from then on, the militarized state produced only soldiers. The introduction of this way of life is usually attributed to Lycurgus, although it is not clear whether Lycurgus was a god, a mythical hero, or a historical figure.

The Spartan state consisted of three classes: the Spartans, or Spartans; perieki (lit. “living nearby”), inhabitants of the allied cities surrounding Lacedaemon; helots. Only Spartans could vote and enter the governing bodies. They were forbidden to engage in trade and, in order to discourage them from making a profit, use gold and silver coins. The land plots of the Spartans, cultivated by helots, were supposed to give their owners sufficient income to purchase military equipment and meet daily needs. Trade and production were carried out by the perieks. They did not participate in political life Sparta, but had some rights, as well as the privilege to serve in the army. Thanks to the labor of numerous helots, the Spartans could devote all their time exercise and military affairs.

It is estimated that by 600 BC. there were approx. 25 thousand citizens, 100 thousand perieks and 250 thousand helots. Later, the number of helots exceeded the number of citizens by 15 times. Wars and economic hardships reduced the number of Spartans. During the Greco-Persian Wars (480 BC), Sparta fielded ca. 5000 Spartans, but a century later at the Battle of Leuctra (371 BC) only 2000 fought. It is mentioned that in the 3rd century. Sparta had only 700 citizens.

To maintain their position in the state, the Spartans felt the need for a large regular army. The state controlled the life of citizens from birth to death. At the birth of a child, the state determined whether a healthy citizen would grow out of him or whether he should be taken to Mount Taygetos. The boy spent the first years of his life at home. From the age of 7, education was taken over by the state, and almost all the time the children devoted to physical exercises and military drill. At the age of 20, a young Spartiate joined phiditia, i.e. company of companions of fifteen people, continuing his military training with them. He had the right to marry, but he could only visit his wife in secret. At the age of 30, a Spartiate became a full citizen and could participate in the people's assembly, but he spent the lion's share of his time in the gymnasium, forestry (something like a club) and fidity. On the gravestone of a Spartan, only his name was carved; if he died in battle, the words “in war” were added.

Spartan girls also received athletic training that included running, jumping, wrestling, discus and javelin throwing. It is reported that Lycurgus introduced such training for girls in order that they would grow up strong and courageous, capable of producing strong and healthy children.

The Spartans deliberately introduced a despotism that deprived the individual of freedom and initiative and destroyed the influence of the family. However, the Spartan way of life was very appealing to Plato, who included in his ideal state many of its militaristic, totalitarian and communist features.

Introduction

The Spartan way of life was well described by Xenophon in his work: “Lacedaemonian Politics”. He wrote that in most states everyone enriches himself as much as he can, without disdaining any means. In Sparta, on the other hand, the legislator, with his usual wisdom, deprived wealth of any attraction. All Spartariats - poor and rich - lead exactly the same way of life, eat the same at a common table, wear the same modest clothes, their children without any distinctions and concessions to military drill. So acquisitiveness is devoid of any meaning in Sparta. Lycurgus (the Spartan king) turned money into a laughingstock: they are so inconvenient. From here the expression "Spartan way of life" means - simple, without any frills, restrained, strict and harsh.

All the ancient classics from Herodotus and Aristotle to Plutarch agreed that before Lycurgus came to rule Sparta, the existing orders there were ugly. And that there were no worse laws in any of the then Greek city-states. The situation was aggravated by the fact that the Spartans had to constantly keep in obedience the masses of the indigenous Greek population of the once conquered lands, turned into slaves or semi-dependent tributaries. It goes without saying that internal political conflicts posed a threat to the very existence of the state.

In ancient Sparta, there was a bizarre mixture of totalitarianism and democracy. The founder of the “Spartan way of life”, the legendary reformer of antiquity, Lycurgus, created, according to many researchers, the prototype of both social communist and fascist political systems of the 20th century. Lycurgus not only transformed the political and economic system of Sparta, but also completely regulated the private life of fellow citizens. Severe measures to "correct morals" implied, in particular, the decisive eradication of "private property" vices - greed and greed, for which money was almost completely devalued.

Lycurgus thoughts, therefore, not only aimed to restore order, but were also called upon to solve the problem of national security of the Spartan state.

History of Sparta

Sparta, the main city of the region of Laconia, was located on the western bank of the Eurotas and extended north from the modern city of Sparta. Laconia (Laconica) is the abbreviated name of the region, which was fully called Lacedaemon, therefore the inhabitants of this area were often called "Lacedaemonians", which is equivalent to the words "Spartan" or "Spartiate".

From the VIII century BC. Sparta began to expand by conquering its neighbors - other Greek city-states. During the 1st and 2nd Messenian Wars (between 725 and 600 BC), the Messenian region west of Sparta was conquered, and the Messenians were turned into helots, i.e. state slaves.

Having won another part of the territory from Argos and Arcadia, Sparta moved from a policy of conquest to building up its power through the conclusion of agreements with various Greek city-states. As the head of the Peloponnesian Union (began to emerge c. 550 BC, took shape c. 510-500 BC), Sparta actually turned into the most powerful military power in Greece. Thus, a force was created that became a counterweight to the impending invasion of the Persians, the combined efforts of the Peloponnesian League and Athens with their allies led to a decisive victory over the Persians at Salamis and Plataea in 480 and 479 BC.

The conflict between the two greatest states of Greece, Sparta and Athens, land and sea power, was inevitable, and in 431 BC. The Peloponnesian War broke out. Ultimately, in 404 BC. Sparta took over.

Dissatisfaction with Spartan dominance in Greece led to a new war. The Thebans and their allies, led by Epaminondas, inflicted a heavy defeat on the Spartans and Sparta began to lose its former power.

Sparta had a special political and social structure. The head of the Spartan state has long been two hereditary kings. They held meetings together with the gerousia - the council of elders, to which 28 people over 60 were elected for life. All Spartans who had reached the age of 30 and had sufficient funds to perform what was considered necessary for a citizen, in particular, to contribute their share to participate in joint meals (phiditia), participated in the national assembly (apella). Later, the institution of ephors arose, five officials who were elected by the assembly, one from each region of Sparta. The five ephors had power superior to that of kings.

The type of civilization now called "Spartan" is not characteristic of early Sparta. Before 600 BC Spartan culture generally coincided with the way of life of the then Athens and other Greek states. Fragments of sculptures, fine ceramics, ivory, bronze, lead and terracotta figurines found in this area testify to the high level of Spartan culture, just like the poetry of the Spartan poets Tyrtaeus and Alcman (7th century BC) . However, shortly after 600 BC. there was a sudden change. Art and poetry disappear. Sparta suddenly became a military camp, and from then on, the militarized state produced only soldiers. The introduction of this way of life is attributed to Lycurgus, the hereditary king of Sparta.

The Spartan state consisted of three classes: the Spartans, or Spartans; perieki ("living nearby") - people from allied cities that surrounded Lacedaemon; helots - slaves of the Spartans.

Only Spartans could vote and enter the governing bodies. They were forbidden to engage in trade and, in order to discourage them from making a profit, use gold and silver coins. The land plots of the Spartans, cultivated by helots, were supposed to give their owners sufficient income to purchase military equipment and meet daily needs. Spartan hosts had no right to release or sell the helots attached to them; helots were given to the Spartans as if for temporary use and were the property of the Spartan state. Unlike an ordinary slave, who could not have any property, helots had the right to that part of the products produced on their site, which remained after paying a fixed share of the harvest to the Spartans. To prevent uprisings of the helots who had a numerical superiority and to maintain the combat readiness of their own citizens, secret sorties (cryptia) were constantly arranged to kill the helots.

Trade and production were carried out by the perieks. They did not participate in the political life of Sparta, but they had certain rights, as well as the privilege of serving in the army.

Thanks to the labor of numerous helots, the Spartans could devote all their time to physical exercises and military affairs. By 600 BC there were about 25 thousand citizens, 100 thousand perieks and 250 thousand helots. Later, the number of helots exceeded the number of citizens by 15 times.

Wars and economic hardships reduced the number of Spartans. During the Greco-Persian Wars (480 BC), Sparta fielded ca. 5000 Spartans, but a century later at the Battle of Leuctra (371 BC) only 2000 fought. It is mentioned that in the 3rd century. Sparta had only 700 citizens.

Sparta

The Spartan way of life was well described by Xenophon in his work: “Lacedaemonian Politics”. He wrote that in most states everyone enriches himself as much as he can, without disdaining any means. In Sparta, on the other hand, the legislator, with his usual wisdom, deprived wealth of any attraction. All Spartariats - poor and rich lead exactly the same way of life, eat the same at the common table, wear the same modest clothes, their children without any distinctions and concessions to military drill. So acquisitiveness is devoid of any meaning in Sparta. Lycurgus (the Spartan king) turned money into a laughingstock: they are so inconvenient. From here the expression "Spartan way of life" means - simple, without any frills, restrained, strict and harsh.

Random photos of nature
All the ancient classics from Herodotus and Aristotle to Plutarch agreed that before Lycurgus came to rule Sparta, the existing orders there were ugly. And that there were no worse laws in any of the then Greek city-states. The situation was aggravated by the fact that the Spartans had to constantly keep in obedience the masses of the indigenous Greek population of the once conquered lands, turned into slaves or semi-dependent tributaries. It goes without saying that internal political conflicts posed a threat to the very existence of the state.

Lycurgus thoughts, therefore, not only aimed to restore order, but were also called upon to solve the problem of national security of the Spartan state.

History of Sparta
Sparta, the main city of the region of Laconia, was located on the western bank of the Eurotas and extended north from the modern city of Sparta. Laconia (Laconica) is the abbreviated name of the region, which was fully called Lacedaemon, therefore the inhabitants of this area were often called "Lacedaemonians", which is equivalent to the words "Spartan" or "Spartiate".

The conflict between the two greatest states of Greece, Sparta and Athens, land and sea power, was inevitable, and in 431 BC. The Peloponnesian War broke out. Ultimately, in 404 BC. Sparta took over.

The Spartan state consisted of three classes: the Spartans, or Spartans; perieki ("living nearby") - people from allied cities that surrounded Lacedaemon; Helots are the slaves of the Spartans.

Trade and production were carried out by the perieks. They did not participate in the political life of Sparta, but they had certain rights, as well as the privilege of serving in the army.

Spartan upbringing
The state controlled the life of citizens from birth to death. At birth, all children were examined by the elders, who decided whether they were healthy, strong and not crippled. In the latter case, children, as they could not become a capable instrument of the state, were doomed to death, for which they were thrown into the abyss from the Taygetskaya rock. If they were healthy, then they returned to their parents for upbringing, which lasted up to 6 years.

The upbringing was extremely harsh. From the age of 7, the child completely belonged to the power of the state, and almost all the time the children devoted to physical exercises, during which they were allowed to kick, bite, and even scratch each other with their nails. All city boys were divided into ranks and classes and lived together under the supervision of state-appointed guards. The guards, in turn, with all their subordinates, were under the command of the chief guard - the pedon. This position was usually occupied by one of the most distinguished and honored citizens. This joint upbringing ensured that all children were imbued with one common spirit and direction. In addition to gymnastics, the Spartans were taught at school to play the flute and sing religious martial hymns. Modesty and respect for elders were the first duty of young people.

Children were brought up in the greatest simplicity and moderation, subjected to all kinds of hardships. Their food was bad and so inadequate that they had to provide for themselves what they lacked. For this, as well as for the development of resourcefulness and dexterity in young Spartans, they were allowed to steal something from food with impunity, but if a thief was caught, then he was severely punished. The children's clothing consisted of a simple cloak, and they always went barefoot. They slept on hay, straw or reeds, collected by themselves from the river Evrota. Every year on the feast of Artemis, boys were flogged to the point of blood, and some of them fell dead without uttering a single sound, without uttering a single plaintive moan. By this they thought to achieve that the men who came out of such boys would not be afraid of either wounds or death in battle.

After probationary period, at the age of 15, teenagers fell into the group of Eirens. Here, the training was based on drill exercises and mastery of weapons. The basis of the actual physical training was pentathlon (penathlon) and fisticuffs. Fisticuffs, as well as hand-to-hand combat techniques, were "Spartan gymnastics." Even the dance served as a preparation for a warrior: in the course of rhythmic movements, it was necessary to imitate a duel with an enemy, throwing a spear, manipulate a shield in order to dodge stones thrown by educators and adults during the dance. Spartan youths usually walked the streets with a quiet, even step, with lowered eyes and holding their hands under a cloak (the latter was considered a sign of modesty in Greece). From childhood they were taught not to produce speeches, but to answer shortly and strongly. Hence, such answers are now called "laconic".

At the age of twenty, a Spartiate completed his education and entered the army. He had the right to marry, but he could only visit his wife in secret.

At the age of 30, a Spartiate became a full-fledged citizen, could legally marry and participate in the people's assembly, but he spent the lion's share of his time in the gymnasium, forestry (something like a club) and fidity. Marriage was concluded between young people freely, according to inclination. Usually, a Spartiate abducted his girlfriend (however, with the knowledge of her parents) and saw her secretly for some time, and then openly declared her his wife and brought her into the house. The position of the wife in Sparta was quite honorable: she was the mistress of the house, did not lead such a reclusive life as in the East and partly among other Greek tribes, and in better times Sparta showed a high patriotic spirit.

Spartan girls also received athletic training that included running, jumping, wrestling, discus and javelin throwing. Lycurgus introduced such training for girls so that they would grow up strong and courageous, capable of producing strong and healthy children. Spartan women were famous for their beauty throughout Greece; Spartan nurses became so famous that rich people everywhere tried to entrust their children to them.

Customs and life of the Spartans
The laws concerning the private way of life were entirely aimed at the elimination of inequality.

The Spartans were prescribed the most rigorous lifestyle. For example, men could not dine at home, they gathered at common tables, where they dined in groups, or partnerships. This custom of public tables was called sissitia. Each member of the partnership brought to the table a certain amount of flour, wine, fruits and money. They dined very moderately, their favorite dish was black soup boiled on pork, seasoned with blood, vinegar and salt. To cover the costs of such a common table, each Spartan citizen was obliged to deliver monthly a certain amount of food supplies: barley flour, wine, cheese and figs. Seasonings were purchased with small donations. The poorest people who were unable to pay these contributions were exempted from them. But only those who were busy sacrificing or felt tired after the hunt could be freed from sissitia. In this case, in order to justify his absence, he had to send to the sissitia part of the sacrifice made or the animal he had killed.

In private dwellings, Lycurgus banished every sign of luxury, for which they were ordered not to use any other tools in the construction of houses, except for an ax and a saw.

The natural consequence of the simplicity of such relations and needs was that money in the state did not circulate in large quantities, and with limited trade with other states, especially in the early days, it was easy to do without gold and silver.

The greatest simplicity was also observed in clothing and dwellings. Only before the battle, the Spartans dressed up as if for a holiday: they then put on scarlet cloaks, decorated their long hair and walked with songs to the sounds of flutes.

With the unusual attachment of the Spartans to their laws and customs, their mental development was retarded by the entire system of ancient institutions, adapted to their state structure. And when orators, sophists, philosophers, historians and dramatic poets appeared in other Greek states, the mental side of education among the Spartans was limited only to teaching literacy and writing, sacred and warlike songs that they sang at the festivities and starting the battle.

Such originality in morals and education, which was supported by the laws of Lycurgus, further strengthened the opposition between the Spartans and all other Hellenes, led to an even greater alienation of the natural character of the Spartan-Dorian tribe. Therefore, although they point to the Lycurgus law, according to which no foreigner could stay in Sparta longer than necessary and had no right to live long outside the fatherland, it is obvious that this was just a custom that followed from the very essence of things.

The natural severity of Sparta in itself removed the stranger from her, and if anything could attract him there, it was only one curiosity. For the Spartan, however, any side could not have any temptation, since there he met customs and living conditions alien to him, to which he was accustomed from childhood to relate only with contempt.

In addition to the laws outlined, establishing moderation, the preservation of bodily health, contempt for all kinds of dangers, there were also other decrees that directly sought to form warriors and brave men from the Spartans.

Staying in a military camp was considered a holiday. Here the severity of domestic life received some relief and life was somewhat freer. The scarlet clothes worn by the Spartans in the war, the wreaths with which they were decorated when entering the battle, the sounds of flutes and songs that accompanied them when attacking the enemy - all this gave the previously terrible war a cheerful, solemn character.

Brave warriors who fell on the battlefield were buried crowned with laurel wreaths. Even more honorable was the burial in scarlet clothes; names were indicated only on the graves of those killed in battle. The coward was punished with insulting shame. Who fled from the battlefield or left the line, he was deprived of the right to participate in gymnastic games, in sissitia, he did not dare to buy or sell, in a word, he was exposed to universal contempt and reproach in everything.

Therefore, before the battle, mothers admonished their sons: "With a shield or on a shield." “With a shield” means I expect your return with victory. “On the shield” means that it’s better to bring you dead than you run away from the battlefield and return in disgrace.

Conclusion
The Spartans deliberately introduced a despotism that deprived the individual of freedom and initiative and destroyed the influence of the family. However, the Spartan way of life was very appealing to Plato, who included in his ideal state many of its militaristic, totalitarian and communist features.

The upbringing of the younger generation was considered in Sparta a matter of national importance and a direct task of the state.

In essence, Sparta was a rather backward agrarian state, which not only did not care about the development of its productive forces, but, paradoxically, more than that, saw its goal in every way to hinder it. Trade and handicrafts were considered occupations here that dishonored the citizen; only newcomers (perieki) could do this, and even then on a relatively limited scale.

However, the backwardness of Sparta lies not only in the structure of its economy. In essence, the remnants of the tribal organization of society are still very strong here, the polis principle is weakly manifested, and last but not least, it is precisely this circumstance that prevents it from uniting Greece. However, the remnants of the tribal organization, and the weakness of the polis beginning are superimposed on strict ideological restrictions. The ancient policy rigidly links its ideas about freedom, among other things, with complete economic independence. It's just that in Sparta, as, perhaps, in no other Greek state, the general backwardness and the desire for absolute economic self-sufficiency manifested itself in the most sharp and contrasting form.

Sparta is not in vain considered the strangest state Ancient Hellas: this reputation was firmly entrenched in her even among the ancient Greeks. Some looked at the Spartan state with undisguised admiration, while others denounced the orders that reigned in it, considering them bad and even immoral. And, nevertheless, it was Sparta, militarized, closed and law-abiding, that became the model of the ideal state invented by Plato, a native of Sparta's eternal rival - democratic Athens.

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