Spartan Cultural Life and Everyday Life

The Grachwil hydria

A magnificent Lakonian bronze hydria. Discovered in 1851 in a Celtic Chieftain's grave in Switzerland, given as a diplomatic gift. The hydria was intended as a status statement.

Cockfighting

A popular leisure activity for Spartans. Aggressive game birds were symbolic of Spartan maleness. Cocks would fight to the death and were compared to hoplite soldiers. Cocks were sacrificed to Ares after the battle.

The Heraia

A race held in honour of Hera at the Olympic stadium of Elis. Competitors were unmarried Spartan girls. The race was around 5/6 of the stadion. They let their hair down and wore chitons exposing their right breast. The prize was an olive crown and a piece of meat for sacrifice.

Himation

An all over body garment worn from the age of 12 by boys. Made from a large oblong of material. Looked like a shawl.

Tribon

An everyday item of clothing for men. A cheap and coarse cloak. Symbolised Spartan simplicity and austerity.

Lakonian III

Characterised by a scene or a narrative taken from life or mythology. The scene is shown in the round space in the vessel and has been termed a 'porthole scene'. These vessels record riding, hunting and fishing making them valuable.

Lakonian I

Characterised by geometric decoration. Inspired by Peloponnesian traditions and influenced by Corinth eg.. Bands of lines in varying thicknesses and squares and dots in numerous combinations were the decoration. Occasionally human or animal figures are part of a larger decorative scheme.

Lakonian II

Characterised by the predominance of freizes, decorative bands, made up of animals or birds, or a decorative aquatic inspired pattern. Designs were carefully thought out.

The Social Value of Choral Song at Sparta

Choral song allowed stories to be preserved in history. The traditional songs taught lessons about the gods, Sparta's heroes and Spartan military, social and political values. It was believed that music and rhythm would make the young better citizens. The Dorian mode, 'd' to 'd' with no sharps and flats would make the listener brave and noble. The Lydian mode would make the listener effeminate. Music was a socialising influence because through blending their voices and playing set parts the singers learned to co-operate with others.

Symbolism of Clothing

Clothing was used to distinguish between citizens and helots. Clothing was used as a form of language. Uniforms were used to reinforce conformity. The citizens dressed similarly but differently from non-citizens.

Damonon

Depicted in a statue in the Temple of Athena Chalkioikos in the 5th Century BC. Won many races, along with his son Enymakratidas. Both were also champion equestrians.

Temple of Athena Chalkioikos

Designed by the Spartan architect Gitiadas in the 6th Century BC. However, only the footprint survives. The bronze decorations around the building contained scenes of mythology. The building itself was poorly constructed and reinforced by the bronze sheets.

Evidence for Cultural Decline

During the 7th and 6th Centuries, Sparta produced an advanced material culture and produced objects of great technical sophistication and artistic merit. However, archaeologists have detected evidence of cultural decline by the end of the 6th Century BC. This is followed by a loss of quality and the disappearance of some production by the end of the 5th Century BC.

Early Spartan cultural life

Early Sparta had a lively culture and produced fine painted pottery, beautifully carved ivories, magnificent bronzes and everyday items of great value and beauty. 7th Century BC Sparta was a powerful, wealthy aristocratic community that only becomes "Spartan" later.

Purpose of Equestrian Sports

Equestrian sport was a chance to demonstrate skill, endurance and wealth. Maintaining a horse was costly and horse trappings of bronze and ivory were all expensive. Horses signified prestige, wealth and high social status.

Prowess of Spartan Athletes

From 720 to 576 BC, 46 of 81 Olympic victors were Spartan. Spartan athletes, especially runners were highly skilled due to their rigorous training. Of 36 running champions, 21 were Spartan. From 550 to 550 BC, Sparta had 5 Olympic victories. After this the Spartans lost their pre-eminence.

Works of Alkman

He wrote Partheneion or Maiden Song, it was probably sung at the festival of Hera. He creates a persona for himself within the song.

Equestrian Contests

Held in different parts of Lakonia and Messenia. The races that were part of the festivities of Athena and Poseidon took place at Sparta. The Parparonia took place in the north-east at Thyrea near the border of Argos. At Helos and Thouria there were races in honour of Poseidon.

Large bronze vessels

Herodotus provides evidence by mentioning that in the 6th Century BC, Sparta had a huge bronze bowl made for King Kroisos of Lydia. These vessels were impressive and given as gifts and buried in the graves of rulers.

Alkman

Lived in the middle of the 7th Century BC. The first Greek choral poet whose works remain intact. He may have come from Asia Minor or he may have been a native spartan. Alkman's poems spoke of the natural attractions of the region. He was a choir-master who wrote works for maiden choruses whom he accompanied on a lyre.

Tyrtaios

Lived in the second half of the 7th Century BC around the second Messenian war. Wrote poetry that was sung by Spartan men, especially in the army. His songs spoke of patriotism and courage, the honour that would come to the brave and the disgrace that would forever cling to the cowards who flinched or faltered in battle. His poetry was didactic. He was probably a native Spartan. He was a political conservative who described the helots. He praises eunomia, obedience to the state.

Phoinikis

Most famous piece of clothing worn by Spartan citizens. A red cloak that was the mark of a Spartiate soldier. Made of the finest wool and dyed with Murex dye. It was worn to war and served as the soldier's blanket. It served as the shroud at a Spartiate's funeral. Lykourgos may have favoured it as soldier's clothing because it did not resemble female clothing. The red concealed blood and was credited with magical powers.

Spartan cultural life

Most people have an image of Spartan cultural life as austere, accepting Thucydides' word that the city resembled a group of villages. They also accept that Spartans lived a simple soldier's life per Pluto. They may have been like this is in the 5th Century BC though not in earlier times.

Music and the Spartan Army

Music and dancing were important occupations for Spartan soldiers for they were related to hoplite drills and psychological preparation for battle. Music accompanied various types of work. Spartans went into battle to the sound of martial music.

Architecture

No remains of Spartan houses have been excavated. There are the remains of some temples.

Poetry at Sparta.

Numerous famous poets including Terpander, Thaletas, Arion and Perikleiotos visited Spartan festivals. Poetry was sung by massed voices, who were instructed by a chorus master. These choruses included children, men and women. It is possible that Spartan women were organised into choirs.

Hunting in Sparta

One of the most popular leisure activities was hunting. Hares and deer could be chased after on foot with the help of dogs and helots. Lakonian hounds were esteemed as hunting dogs. At the foot of Mount Taygetos there was an area known as the Hunting Grounds. Even with a horse the hunting was always done up close and carried out with javelin and spear. The helots were also hunted regularly.

Choros

Part of the agora. Translates as the dancing place. The place where Spartan boys danced in the Gymnopaidiai which was a religious festival.

The Amyklaion

Reconstructed from the existing shrine of Apollo by the Ionian architect Bathykles. Served as the location of the ancient cult statue of Apollo. Depicted various scenes from mythology. The building is influenced stylistically by Asia Minor. Represented a fusion of both important Ionian and native Doric styles. Historians are still unsure about the appearance of the building.

Temple of Artemis Orthia

Refers to two temples dedicated to Artemia Orthia. The first is dated to 700 BC and was a small structure, long and only 4.5 metres wide. The construction was simple. The second temple was built around 580 BC. The remains of the first temple were sealed in the second. The second temple's construction was much more complex than the first.

Hippeis

Signified both a social rank and an economic class. Owning a horse was a statement of power and rank.

Archaeological Evidence of Smaller Bronze Objects

Smaller objects such as figures and ornaments, brooches and pins, horse trappings, and polished mirrors have all been excavated at Sparta. These provide evidence of the extensive use of bronze in everyday life, this was also a means to display wealth.

Clothing of Social Outcasts

Social outcasts were forced to wear certain types of clothing as humiliation. These include old bachelors, who were stripped of their clothes and forced to parade in a circle singing a song about their failures, tresentes were not allowed to wear the phoinikis and were forced to wear a cloak with coloured patches and shave half their beard.

Equestrian Sports at the Olympic

Spartans achieved great success in equestrian sports at the Olympics. Evagoras the Lakonian won triple victories in the four horse chariot race. In 504 BC, Demaratos won the same race. The Spartans won 8 times in the 5th Century BC and 4 in the 4th Century BC.

Benefits of Hunting

Spartans believed that hunting developed courage, stealth and agility and made men better soldiers. It also improved health, eyesight, hearing and accustomed men to the wild. Hunting developed character. I

Bronzes

Spartans excelled at bronze work. Some famous works include the statue of Apollo at Amyklai and Athena Chalkiokos. These early works were primitive because of the difficulties involved in making them. No large bronze statues have survived though numerous small statues did. There are also massive high-quality bronze vessels in Italy, France and Switzerland.

Leisure Activities of Spartans

Spartans had a lot of leisure time as they had helots and domestic slaves. Their leisure activities included choral dances, festivals, banquets, hunting trips, physical exercise and conversation. The Spartans had more leisure time than any other Greeks, however the lawgiver did not want Spartans to waste their time in idleness.

Eugenics

Spartans practiced eugenics to improve their offspring. Spartans would visit their wives briefly as they believed it led to the conception of healthy children. Men would loan their wives to other men to produce healthy children. Older men would loan their wives to younger men. This was not considered adultery. These practices were established by Lykourgos. Children were regarded as a form of common property. Spartans had a survival of the fittest mentality in regard to children.

Bone

Spartans used horse or cattle bone

Equestrian Sports

Spartans with the money to own horses, conducted many leisure activities with them. The Spartans greatly appreciated horses and many attended events with horses.

The skias

Translates to the 'canopy'. Constructed in the early 6th century BC by Theodoros of Samos. Samos was known for producing pottery. This skias remained to 2nd AD.

Marriage Customs

Women exercising while naked was a chance for men to survey their potential brides. The considerations include attractiveness, fitness, social class and wealth. Spartan males married in their 20s and brides were in their teens. There was a betrothal process and mothers played a part in matchmaking. Women were provided with dowries of land and animals by their father.

Women in Equestrian Sports

Women rode chariots in the Hyakinthia and bred and trained horses for competitions.

Chiton

Worn by Spartan boys. An all over body garment made from a rectangle of cloth wrapped around the body. It was pinned at the shoulders and tied at the waist. Young boys wore short chitons and old men wore long ones. It was drawn up to the waist when doing strenuous activity.

Spartiate Clothing

The rules for dress were Lykourgan. Adornment was avoided and the wealthy and poor dressed similarly. Clothing was a sign of acceptance of the Lykourgan system. Clothing masked socio-economic differences and joined Spartans together in a common consciousness.

The Menelaion

The shrine of Menelaos and Helen at Therapne. Built in the late 7th Century to the early 6th Century BC. It was the first monumental building in Lakonia. It had a pedimental, tiled roof.

Symbolism of Hair

The state regulated Spartan hair. It signified inclusion in society. When entering the agoge, hair was cut short. Soldiers grew their hair long and combed and adorned it. Long hair showed prowess and hair was groomed ritualistically before battle. Beards were a sign of maturity but moustaches were banned. Hairstyles reinforced conformity.

Stone Sculpture

There are many reliefs in limestone and the marble of Lakonia. The various examples show the importance of stone carving. Stone sculpture in the round is less common.

Boarfighting

There is evidence suggesting that immature wild boars were raised in captivity and made to fight each other. Before fighting each other, adolescents were made to fight boars. The boars had been raised for contests such as this and the outcome was taken as an omen. Boarfighting was a leisure activity.

Vix Krater

A bronze hydria found in Vix.

Hetoimokles and Hipposthenes

A father and son won the Olympic wrestling 5 and 6 times respectively, Hetoimokles is depicted in a statue in Sparta. Hipposthenes athletic career spanned 25 years beginning when he won the Olympic competition for boys.

Ivory influences

Archaeologists examining the style of Spartan ivory carvings have commented on what often appears to be a strong artistic influences from the East. Immigrants from Syria may have influenced it or other intermediaries.

Athletics in Sparta

Athletics was a favoured leisure activity and Spartans were the first to exercise naked. They anointed their bodies with olive oil before exercising. Youths would practice on the racetrack. There was a shrine dedicated to the Dioskouri, patrons of athletics. A wide range of field sports were played including running, discus, javelin, jumping and wrestling. Spartans are credited with the invention of boxing. Spartans practiced athletics while on campaign.

Banquets

Attending a banquet was a popular leisure activity. The symposion was a type of festive meal held on religious occasions. Symposia in other city states involved excessive drinking, displeasing moralists. However in Sparta, there was an ideal of sober celebration.

Items in Spartan Diet

Black broth (most famous element, made of pork, vinegar and blood), barley (staple grain, made into bread and porridge), wheat bread, fruits (figs), olives and olive oil, goat's cheese, honey, pork, poultry, fish, wild boar, venison and hare.

Bone Carving

Bone carving, that had occurred parallel to the carving of ivory took over completely when supplies of ivory stopped in the 6th Century BC due to disturbances in the East.

Jewellery

Bronze pins and bronze or ivory brooches were worn to pin the peplos. Decorated jewellery symbolised wealth. Some combs were dedicated at religious shrines. The combs were carved with scenes from mythology and were worn on special occasions. The abundance of mirrors suggests that Spartan women were conscious of their appearance.

Stoa

Built in the 5th Century BC, after the Persian wars. It was a covered walkway that was constructed from spoils taken in the second Persian war. Part of the ruins of the agora possibly belonged to this building. Marble statues of Persians held up the upper part of the building.

Boar Hunting

Involved great danger for the hunter. Killing a boar was a mark of great social distinction for a man and was considered a 'rite of passage'. The 'blooding' confirmed a man's virility.

Ivory

Ivory was used by people of high status and was obtained through trade.

Importance of Horses

Sparta was famous for its horses and a shrine was dedicated to Poseidon. The Dioscuri were associated with horses. Many wealthy Spartans had names associated with horses. There are numerous depictions of horses in pottery and votive offerings. It was considered a compliment to compare girls to horses.

Music at Sparta

Sparta was renowned for its fine music. In the 7th Century BC it was ranked as an outstanding musical centre. In the 6th Century BC, The Spartan Gitiadas composed numerous Dorian songs including a hymn to Artemis Orthia. Spartan music was famous for songs sung by dancing choruses, these were accompanied by a stringed instrument, the kithera and wind instruments auloi. These would require many hours of practice.

Bronze work period

Spartan bronze work flourished in the 7th and 6th Centuries. Archaeologists have discovered 60 hydriai. They were dated on stylistic grounds from 650 BC to 550 BC.

Painted vessels

Spartan cultural life can be traced through the sequence of Lakonian painted pottery vessels. They have been placed in a chronological sequence by historians: Lakonian I (7th Century BC), Lakonian II (late 7th Century BC), Lakonian III (early 6th Century BC), Lakonian IV (mid 6th Century BC), Lakonian V (late 6th Century BC)

The Spartan Diet

Spartan food was considered frugal and plain. Lykourgos specified a light diet, thus ensuring that men and women would be healthy.

Female Spartan Athletes

Spartan girls practiced athletics, especially running and jumping at contests. Their leisure time was spent exercising. Groups known as the daughters of Dionysos or Leukippos held races. There were foot races held in honour of Helen and Hera.

The Abduction of the Bride

Spartan marriage began with the abduction of the bride and a hasty first union. The marriage was without ceremony. The abduction emphasised the man's strength and virility. The girl was carried off and another woman would shave her head, she would be dressed in a man's cloak and sandals and laid down in the dark to await her husband. This has been interpreted as a way to ease men into heterosexual intercourse or an indication that the girl was married.

Ivory Carving

The ivory for these objects had to be imported and it was sourced from traders in Syria which was the seat of Phoenicia. These traders had sourced the ivory from Africa and the East. With such supplies, ivory carving was well established in Sparta and Phoenicia.

The Spartan Agora

The Spartan market place. Contained monumental buildings dating to the 5th and 6th Century BC, these were still present in the 2nd Century AD. This was the political and social centre of the polis of Sparta. It has not yet been excavated.

Ivory and bone carving

The carving was highly developed and many beautiful objects were made in the 7th Century BC. 200 possible votive offerings were found at Artemis Orthia.

Kyniska

The daughter of King Archidamos. Famed for raising horses and winning the chariot ace at Olympia. Inspired other Spartan women to compete. She was the financial backer, breeder and trainer but not the charioteer. A hero's monument was raised in her honour at Sparta. Victories like this carried prestige for the victor and the city-state they came from.

Female Clothing

The everyday clothing of women were chitons while the formal clothing was the peplos. The peplos was a basic garment made from a folded rectangle of woven wool. The fabric was up to 1.8 metres long, it wrapped around the women and a fold was brought over the outside. It was fastened at the shoulders by pins and brooches and the excess material fell like a cape. Elaborate patterns were on the fabric. It was gathered at the waist by a cord, it was open at one side and revealed the thigh.

Findings of vessels

The finest vessels are often found in Italy, North Africa, Egypt or elsewhere in Greece. They have been found as grave goods in Etruscan tombs. The findspot of many of these vessels is unknown due to them being robbed by treasure hunters. The kylix was a common export item.

Helot Clothing

The helots were made to wear clothing that suggested they were animals. This humiliated them and rejected them from the social order. Each of the helots were made to wear dogskin caps and animal skins.