Sparta

Before I have to leave Classical Greece, I wanted to make sure I was able to learn more about Sparta. I have heard many things about them through different stories by different people during my time here in Classical Greece. I wanted to make sure I learnt about Sparta from the people themselves that way I knew what I was being told was by someone who lived there and knows about the culture. I made sure that for my last stop in Greece I stopped in Sparta, so I did, and here I am in Lacedaemon. As I was walking through the city state of Sparta, I saw how strong and powerful they were. I saw them practicing their battle formations and that they were very wise and skillful people. I then was able to find someone to talk to. This person then shared with me what Sparta was like. They shared with me about Sparta’s military power, social structure, and unique institutions. I learned also through this person that the Spartan people, just like the other part of Classical Greece was dominated by men and women were not allowed to do much, but they did have more rights than most women. Spartan women were allowed to inherit land and were able to be well educated alongside the Spartan men. Through more conversation with this Spartan citizen, I learned that the Spartan society was made up of three main groups. In one group there were the normal/regular citizens, the slaves, and the non-Spartan citizens. Those that were not true Spartan citizens were treated very poorly and were mistreated. I learned through my time here in Sparta and through the citizens that the Spartan society is very strong and powerful but can have its ugly parts as well just like every other society. I am very grateful to have been able to learn all about Classical Greece.