![]() ![]() ![]() Spartan Societyĭiscipline grew even more rigorous when the boys reached manhood. Girls were educated in classes under a similar system, but with less rigor. It is said that a Spartan boy, who had stolen a young fox for his dinner, allowed the animal he had hidden under his cloak to gnaw out his vitals rather than betray his theft by crying out. If they were caught, they were whipped for their awkwardness. This was not done to cultivate dishonesty but to develop shrewdness and enterprise. They were allowed to feel the pinch of hunger and were encouraged to supplement their fare by pilfering food for themselves. They learned to endure pain and hardship without complaint and to obey orders absolutely and without question. They were taught that retreat or surrender in battle was disgraceful. Instead they were drilled each day in gymnastics and military exercises. Unlike the boys of Athens, they spent little time learning music and literature. They ate black broth and other coarse food. The boys slept in dormitories on hard beds of rushes. The strongest and most courageous youths were made captains. At the age of 7, boys were removed from their parents’ control and organized into small bands. The children who were allowed to live were brought up under a severe discipline. By this practice Sparta hoped to ensure that only those who were physically fit would survive. The elders of the city-state inspected the newborn infants and ordered the weak and unhealthy ones to be carried to a nearby chasm and left to die. The Spartan government was founded on the principle that the life of every individual, from the moment of birth, belonged absolutely to the state. ![]()
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