Living as a Warrior: Spartan

Living as Spartan was the same as live as a warrior. There was no choice. The main occupation of Spartan men, who passed the test at birth, was a war.

When the child was born, would bathe it in wine. Those who do not pass the test, would be characterized as weak and defective. They were thrown off a cliff at the foot of Mount Taygetos. For those who "survived the Wine", here the story just began.

Briefly in mother's lap

By the seventh year, the child would live with his mother. But even then could not feel much affection. He did not dare to dress in special clothing as his body would not be deformed or the child seemed spoiled. The child in this period sought shelter all of which would cause fear or crying.

Spartan women were stringent and successful in education. So much so that they wer hired by Athenians.

Living as a Spartan or Spartan women meant to do everything for the country and its glory. So the Spartan was in the service of war policy, which is now synonymous with military discipline and heroism.

When a Spartan mother was said that in one battle she lost all five her sons, she said coldly, "Did we win or not?"

Education by the state

At seven, Spartan child gets left to the state's education (Agoga). They would be divided into "Ageles" (literal translation: flock). Then began even harsher discipline.

The main activity was learning how to handle weapons and fighting, and gymnastics, running, discus throwing, etc..

Were subjected to hunger and cold, so that more hardened. Interestingly, they encourage their attempts to obtain food by stealing and compensation so modest stock they were awarded. But those who would be caught, would be severely punished.

They ate a lot of honey. A month before the end of the training, learning to live only on honey ("honey moon").

Once a year, they tested the endurance of the Temple of Artemis in the game stealing cheese while being mercilessly flogged. Those who have endured without the whining and crying about the game, where not a few of them have died, were crowned with laurel wreaths.

They went barefoot; bathed in cold water rivers, and summer and winter, wearing the same "outfit", a piece of cloth which they had allocated the state annually.

Since adequate education, they had to know only the basics: how to read and write; though they learned and sound wise called "laconic" answers, also Homer's verses.

"Adulthood" at twenty

With twenty years they would complete agog, and that would mean two things.

Start of military service.

Marriage.

When you become a soldier, the Spartan would join to public club of 15 men with whom they lived in public barracks up to 60-year old. All this was arranged its laws Likurg, the legendary lawgiver of Sparta.

And spouses are elected interesting: men and women are detained in a dark room and then in the dark catch your future spouse, with no idea who they caught.

"Spartaaaaaaaaaaaa!"

One legend says that the Spartans were once provided by the Athenians, their greatest enemy, sharp, menacing message, which read:

"If you do not do what we require, we will take an army to you and if we win, we will rob all the property, level to the ground all your cities, and the women and children enslaved."

The brave Spartan warriors, known for its successful warfare, responded to the message with one word: "If ...

Leonidas replied laconically

Leonidas was one of the most famous Spartans who led them in the battle of Thermopylae. When told that the enemies close, he replied: "Well, we have them."

When told that there are too few soldiers against an opponent, he said: "I've got them too much to die!"

And when they told him that the enemy's arrows will be so numerous that will cover the heaven, he said: "It is better, we shall fight in the shade!" Such "shadow" is not afraid of the Spartans.
 
Spartan glory

Sparta was one of the most important policies in Greece, as a military polis, with its small population managed to conquer many areas in the famous Peloponnesian War. Glory of 4 century BC, later faded, only to be in the 7th century AD destroyed the Slavs in their push to the Peloponnese.

In 1834. on the foundations of the legendary city built a new, sophisticated resort of the same name.

And what is left of the old legends and a symbol of military thinking and living. Living as Spartan is meant to live as a warrior. Death in battle was celebrated in Sparta, serve their country and the meaning of life.