Tuesday, July 19, 2016

How hard it was to become a Spartan soldier. Spartan boys were turned into mighty warriors




























The Spartans have built one of the most powerful military techniques of the ancient world, but their culture was so fierce that the word,, Spartan 'has become synonymous with austere life.


1. At birth, children had to be perfectly healthy

Infanticide was a common act during Antiquity and in Sparta this practice was organized and managed by the state. All children were brought before a council of inspectors who examined each physical defects. 


Spartan Baby Warrior twiter
























Those who failed to meet the standards were left to die. Ancient historian Plutarch said that those born sick,, '' were thrown into a chasm on Mount Taygetus, but historians consider this practice a myth. If a baby was not considered good Spartan military service, he was abandoned on a hill. Left alone, the child could die because of weather or if you are lucky, be adopted by a foreigner.

Spartan Warrior Paintings Fine Art America

























Babies who have not stood the test was easier. To test their physical condition, children Spartans were often bathed in wine instead of water. Often they ignore them if they are weeping and command them not to be afraid of the dark or loneliness. According to statements by Plutarch, these parenting techniques were so admired by foreigners that Spartan women were sought for their skills nanny or babysitter.


2.2. Children Spartans entered the military education program

At age seven, Spartan boys were separated from their parents and were agog enrolled in a state-sponsored training regimen to shape them as fighters trained and moral citizens. Separated from their families, they were placed in common barracks. The young soldiers were trained in scholastic technique of war, hunting, stealing and athletics. At age 12, the initiates were deprived of clothes, besides a red cape and were forced to sleep on beds out of branches. To prepare them for a life on the ground, the boys were encouraged to seek their own food or to steal from others.


Children of Sparta Legends & Chronicles

If the Spartans expected that all the boys to be fighters, many from women expecting children. Spartan girls were allowed to remain with their parents, and they were subjected to rigorous education. While the boys were bred for a life campaign, the girls practiced dance, gymnastics and throwing the javelin, all these activities needed to make them stronger for motherhood.

3. The fights were encouraged among children Spartans

Many agog activities involving reading, writing, rhetoric or poetry, but training regimen also had a hand vicious. To them strengthen young fighters, trainers and older men urging them to fight. Agog was built to help our guys to withstand extreme conditions such as cold, hunger or pain. 



Spartan boys were turned into mighty warriors DocumentaryTube






















Boys who showed signs of weakness or timidity superiors were subjected to violence. During religious ceremonies, the girls stood behind dignitaries Spartans and sang songs about youth choirs from agog.

4. All the men were considered soldiers all their lives

Although the Spartans education was tough, soldier's life was the only opportunity for young boys to become citizens or,, Homoioi ''. According to the laws of that time, men citizens could not choose another profession than the soldier. Fighters had to fulfill the military service of 60 years


Battle of Plataea - Wikipedia

























Because of their concern for the study of military techniques, production and agriculture were left to the lower class. The workers, vendors and manufacturers were part of a category called,, perieci ''. They were part of a class of free people, who were not citizens. Agriculture and food production were left to the slaves,, Ilot ', a class of servants who constitute the majority population in Sparta.

5. Young Spartans were beaten and flogged

One of the most brutal Spartan practice was a competition called,, contest mercy '' in which teenagers were whipped, sometimes to death in front of an altar of Artemis Orhi sanctuary. Known as diamastigosis,, '' This practice was originally used as annual religious ritual, but also as a test of courage for boys. During the Roman rule, the practice has become a blood sport.

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The above post is reprinted from materials provided by  History. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.

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