CLCV 231 Lecture 13: Sparta
Document Summary
Participation in running of state demanded of all citizens. At least somewhat meritocratic (can gain status/voice in government) Citizenship defined by exclusion, depended on slavery/subservient populations. 8th century: 5 discrete villages (eventually come together) Served in spartan army in separate unites, under a spartan commander. No participation in government or power to decide whether or not to go to war. Had to wear specific clothes, forced drunken parading, whipped. Forced to morn deaths of kings and magistrates. Spartan citizens become outnumbered (10:1) by helots and perioikoi. Helots and perioikoi constantly try to overthrow spartans. Forces sparta to militarize (spartan citizens have to fight in military) Each citizen is given an equal piece of land (kleros) Citizens were freed from doing everyday tasks able to focus on training. Men and women socialized to serve sparta"s military. If male child is born, taken to mountain top, priests decide if it is healthy enough.