Spartan (Wo)men

"Spartan women were famous (or notorious) for having more freedom than the women of other cities. Ancient sources record with amazement that girls recieved an education similar to that of boys, emphasizing physical training and dancing, and even exercised naked like boys...Unlike women at Athens, many Spartan women owned land. "

Sparta was a culture far ahead of its time in countless ways, from its military and social tactics to the role of women in their society. Women were very much the equals of men in Sparta. Spartan men realized that there were many things at which women excelled and could do most things almost as well as the men. women were even allowed to live independantly of men, and often, when the men were in the barracks, they would have to live by themselves, taking care of the houses and children.

Thanks for butting in Peace...

"Peace was an interruption of war" ~ Interviewee, An Empire Special: The Greeks, Crucible of Civilization

For the states surrounding Greece, and some of Greece itself, this statement remains true. Peace, was an interruption of war; when the cultures were at peace with one another, they were being interrupted. Specifically this can be said for Sparta. Their society; brought up to be soldiers, and militarily governed, the Spartans were all about war. Physically being the strongest military in the whole of the Greek region, Sparta was victorious in the battles they took part in. Since they lived purely on conflict and battle, it can be said that their society was at a stand still when there were no military acts or conflicts to engage in. Therefore, peace was an interruption of war.

"The city of Sparta came to embody the ideal of the hoplite polis although it was unusual in several ways."

( Greek Civillization: Hellas and Hellenism, Page 64)

Depending on how you look at this quote, you may have a variety of ways to interpret it. If you've seen the movie 300 then you probably understand the way its supposed to be understood. These people, having strong militaristic focuses while retaining equality amongst their citizens, were a fear of all other Greek polis's. Aside from the battlefield, they dominated the olypmics and uniquely had the most privlidged women in Greece. Obviously, these people did something right: is it that they were more community based than other polis's? Probably.

The text also mentions that the Spartan people supported strong conservative values. In the long run, this way of life is probably why these people died out since staying with traditions has no chance against evolving technology and tactics. However, while they lasted, they accomplished many feats and had an impressive reputation. This factor allows us to say that there are benifits to retaining the past rather than focus on the future. Their way of life may have sucked but it certainly got them somewhere.

Compared to other city-states, like Athens, for example, had nowhere near the same equality sense that Sparta had. Spartan boys as young as seven began their training in groups known as packs. Even today, modern militaries around the world emulate this tactically benificial component to strengthen the bonds between the peers they fight alongside with, although they don't force seven-year olds into service. If Athens had this policy with its people, surely Greece would've been a world power. The downside to that is that democracy may never have surfaced.

Spartans were a dominant race amongst equals and it was their conservative views and discipline that allowed them to become who we know them as today. They certainly represented the ideals of a Greek polis and that is likely a factor when considering their high standing above the other polis's of the time.