9 things you never knew about ancient Sparta

The Spartan education system was called the agoge and showed how strongly it wanted to create the ideal warrior. 

That tough training programme represented the core of Spartan life, and at the young age of seven, Spartan boys were taken from their homes and put into a setting where strength, discipline, and survival skills mattered for life.

The agoge formed a complete system designed to mould boys in line with Spartan ideals. 

During their time in the agoge, the boys underwent physical training and learned survival techniques and military tactics.

They lived in shared barracks and followed a strict routine that included small meals and constant exercises.

The aim was to train their bodies as weapons and to teach them the Spartan qualities of stamina, toughness, and independence. 

The agoge also focused on thinking skills and moral education. While the boys were taught to read and write, they also learned music and dance, and became familiar with the laws of Sparta, the writings of its poets, and the actions of its heroes.

This system aimed to produce balanced people who could help society on and off the battlefield. 

In clear difference to the rest of the ancient world, Spartan women had freedom and control that almost no other women had.

People valued these women’s strength, thinking skills, and ability to have children as important parts of Spartan society. 

Spartan beliefs that valued physical fitness and mental strength applied to women as well as men.

From a young age, Spartan girls were educated in a way that no other Greek city-state allowed, learning reading and writing as well as music, dance, and athletics.

Because physical fitness mattered so much, girls took part in sports such as wrestling, running, and throwing the discus and javelin. 

As a result of that focus on exercise, Spartan women gained a reputation throughout Greece for their strength, beauty, and poise, and were also unique in their ability to own and control their own property.

Given that many Spartan men died in war, these women often ended up with control of much of the state’s wealth, which gave them an important and powerful role in Spartan society far greater than that of their counterparts in other Greek city-states. 

However, the freedoms Spartan women had were tied to the city’s focus on the military, as people believed that healthier women would produce stronger children and support the Spartan state.

The Krypteia was one of the most debated and violent parts of Spartan society, described by some historians as a coming-of-age practice for the top young men who had completed their Spartan training in the agoge.

That practice was a final test of their skills and readiness to become fully qualified Spartan warriors. 

Some sources indicate that the Krypteia went beyond such a test, but its true nature is unknown, because different historical accounts vary.

Most sources agree that it involved young men going into the countryside, carrying only a knife and surviving alone for a set time.

During that ordeal, the test judged their survival skills, toughness, and ability to live off the land, all qualities vital for a Spartan warrior. 

According to other accounts, the Krypteia instructed the young men to kill the helots, the slaves of Sparta, whom they encountered while surviving in the countryside, acting both as a test of fighting skill and a means of terror to control that population.

The helots greatly outnumbered the Spartans, so the threat of the Krypteia kept them in a state of fear and obedience. 

The Spartan way of life was known for its strict and simple nature, and this was most clear in their food. 

Spartan meals were known because they were very simple, a clear contrast to the grand feasts of other ancient societies. 

This simple style was a deliberate choice that showed Spartan values of self-discipline and restraint rather than because they lacked supplies.

It reinforced the idea that they valued function over comfort. 

The most famous dish in the Spartan diet was the 'black broth', a simple mixture of pork, blood, vinegar, and salt.

For them, the broth was as much a statement as it was nourishment. 

It was said to taste so bad to those who were not used to it that a visiting Sybarite, a person from a city that was famous for its luxury and indulgence, joked that he now understood why they were willing to die in battle.

After all, death was better than a life on such a broth. 

To them, the black broth was more than just a meal and was a sign of their way of life. 

It showed their belief in simplicity, self-reliance, and equality. In the communal mess halls called syssitia, all Spartan men ate the same food, no matter their social status. 

There were no fancy dishes for the rich or small servings for the poor, and everyone was equal, joined by the shared experience of the black broth. 

The Spartan diet also served a practical purpose. Its simple and predictable meals let them focus on training and duties without being distracted by tasty food.

In that way, the diet supported their military goals. 

They were known for their quick wit and brief words rather than their physical strength and strict lifestyle, a brevity that demonstrated their military mindset. 

This short and direct way of speaking is called 'laconic wit', which was named after Laconia, the region of Greece where Sparta was. That name tied their speech to their homeland. 

Spartan conversation was reduced to its basic points, much like their lifestyle, and this way of speaking has left a lasting effect on history. That influence affected many later writers. 

The laconic phrases of the Spartans were short and sharp, often including dry humour. 

They had no time for fancy language or long debates; they preferred to get straight to the point. 

One of the most famous examples of this is the Spartan king Leonidas' response to the Persian demand that the Greeks lay down their weapons at the Battle of Thermopylae. 

Leonidas' reply was a simple "Molon labe" or "Come and take them", a short phrase that clearly shows their spirit of resistance and courage. 

Another example is the response of the Spartan ephors when Philip II of Macedon, who had already conquered most of Greece, sent a message to Sparta saying, "If I enter Laconia, I will raze Sparta." That message tested Spartan resolve.

Their reply was just one word: "If," a brief yet strong response that showed their fearlessness and determination, speaking louder than any long argument. 

These laconic phrases were clever replies and a form of mental warfare. In that sense, they prepared opponents for Spartan strength. 

They showed the Spartans' steady confidence and determination, often leaving their enemies uncertain and scared, an effect that weakened opponents before battles began. 

The Spartans understood that words, like weapons, could be used to gain an advantage in battle. 

One of the most shocking parts of Spartan society was the practice of selective infanticide. The Spartans were very careful about who was allowed to become one of them, and this began at birth. 

If a baby was born with any physical defects or seen as weak, it was left on a hillside to die of exposure. That rule revealed how ruthless Spartan society could be. 

This practice, called exposure or discarding, was a clear example of the Spartan focus on physical strength and perfection, a focus that guided many aspects of life. 

When a baby was born, it was bathed in wine to test its strength. If it survived this first test, the family, especially the father, would look it over closely, since his decision was very important in determining its fate.

If there were any signs of weakness or a physical problem, the baby was then examined by a council of elders.

When it did not meet their standards, it was taken to a place called the Apothetae, a deep hole at the foot of Mount Taygetus, and left to die. That rule made survival the highest priority. 

The Spartans believed that only the strongest should survive and help society. That belief defined their entire community. 

This harsh practice was seen as a necessary action to keep the strength and quality of the Spartan people. That necessity arose from their constant need for strong soldiers. 

It's important to note that although this practice was not unique to Sparta and was fairly common in the ancient world, Sparta took it further than most. 

However, in Sparta, where the focus on physical strength and military power defined their identity, this practice became especially established. 

The Spartans believed that every citizen had a duty to help society, and those who could not were seen as a burden, a belief that underscored every decision about life and death. 

Spartan marriage rituals were as unique and unusual as the rest of their society. 

These rituals were designed to promote strong children and a peaceful society and were also filled with symbols and traditions. 

Unlike many other ancient societies, Spartan marriages were focused on producing the next generation of strong Spartan warriors rather than about romantic love or political alliances. 

One of the strangest aspects of Spartan marriage was the ritual of the 'bride capture', when, after the marriage was arranged, the groom, often with the help of his friends, would 'take' his bride. 

This was purely symbolic, as the bride was fully aware and she consented, a nod to the Spartan belief in the strengths of struggle and competition. 

After the 'capture', the bride would have her head shaved and be dressed in men's clothing, then left alone in a dark room where her groom would come to 'claim' her. 

This ritual was believed to make it easier for Spartan men, who, before their marriage, had lived and slept in shared barracks with other men. 

They typically married in their late twenties, much older than men in other Greek city-states, because they were expected to live in the shared barracks and focus on their military duties until that age. 

Spartan women, on the other hand, usually married in their late teens or early twenties, but married couples did not typically live together immediately; men continued living in the shared barracks and would sneak out to visit their wives. 

This arrangement could last for several years until the husband was released from shared living. 

In line with their belief in simple living, the Spartans had a unique approach to currency.

Specifically, unlike most other city-states in ancient Greece that used coins made of precious metals like gold and silver, Sparta used iron bars as currency. 

This was an intentional choice made to stop the gathering of wealth and support equality among its citizens. 

The iron bars were large and awkward, making them difficult to transport in large amounts. Also, they were dipped in vinegar while hot to make them weak and useless for anything other than exchange. 

This made sure that the iron currency had little real value and could not be used for other purposes, such as to make weapons. At the same time, the system served several purposes: it stopped theft, since these bars were of little value to outsiders. 

Second, it prevented the gathering of wealth. The physical nature of the currency made it difficult to save lots. 

Last, it stopped trade with other states, so Sparta remained independent and cut off from foreign influence. 

In Sparta, wealth was measured by one's contribution to the state rather than by the gathering of material possessions.

Overall, this was a society where the common good was placed above individual gain, and where the chase of wealth was seen as a distraction from one's duty to the state. 

The Festival of the Gymnopaedia, also known as the Festival of Naked Youths, was one of the most important and special events in the Spartan calendar.

Specifically, this yearly festival was a celebration of music, dance, and physical skill, and it played an important role in the social and cultural life of Sparta. 

The Gymnopaedia was held in the middle of the summer, and it involved boys and young men from the Spartiate class of society. 

They would perform war dances and athletic displays in the nude, which showed their physical strength, quickness, and control. 

These displays were a form of military training rather than just a show of physical skill; they taught the boys rhythm, coordination, and how to move together, which were needed skills on the battlefield. 

Music was a key part of the Gymnopaedia, as during the festival performances included songs, and the aulos was played, a type of ancient Greek wind instrument. 

These songs often told stories of Spartan bravery, strengthening the values of courage, discipline, and willingness to sacrifice. 

The Gymnopaedia was also a shared event that brought together the entire Spartan society.

It was a chance for young men to show they were ready to serve the city-state and for older men to judge the next generation of warriors. 

It was also a chance for families to show their contribution to the state, as the performance of their sons showed their standing in the community. 

The Festival of the Gymnopaedia was an important part of the Spartan education system and military training rather than just a celebration.