Download Cultural life in Sparta – packages of information 1. Carvings, pottery

Cultural life in Sparta – packages of information
1. Carvings, pottery and figurines:
 Sparta was once renowned for its ivory and bone carvings and for its pottery. However,
by the 5th century these had declined dramatically. Historians do not know why this
occurred.
 One explanation is that the lack of coinage made trade more difficult, so discouraged
the import of ivory and the export of pottery. Another is that the Spartans needed to
spend an increasing amount of time controlling the helots, so had less time for cultural
pursuits.
 Despite this decline, there were still craftsmen in Sparta producing ivory carvings during
the Classical period. Over 200 of these were found in Orthia. 100,000 lead figurines have
been found there – evidence that the Spartans were mass producing these as religious
offerings (votives). All were between 2.5 and 8 centimetres high, and depicted sphinxes,
lions, horses, soldiers and the goddess Orthia.
2. Architecture:
 Sparta had very few public buildings of any note. This was because the Spartans saw
themselves as a community of citizens rather than denizens of a place.
 The ancient geographer Pausanias, who lived in the 2nd century AD, described the
buildings that existed in and about the city of Sparta at the time he visited, but most of
these have long since disappeared. What remains are the ruins of five key buildings: the
Temple of Athena Chalkiokos, the Menelaion, the Amyklaion, the Sanctuary of Artemis
Ortha, and the Tomb of Leonidas (which is not actually Leonidas’ tomb). These are
described in the notes on Sparta’s geography.
3. Writing and literature:
 Although Sparta produced no books, many of its people could read. Certainly, Spartiates
were taught the basics of literacy, as were Spartiate women. It is also thought that some
perioikoi could read. However, reading as a pastime was not encouraged, as books were
seen as a source of subversive ideas.
 Two well-known Spartan poets were Tyrtaeus and Alcman.
 Tyrtaeus wrote in the mid-7th century, during the Second Messenian War. He was a
foreigner who fought with Sparta during that war, and received citizenship as a reward.
His poetry was martial and patriotic – exhorting Spartan boys to acts of bravery in war.
His poems were recited by soldiers sitting around the campfire. They reveal a great deal
about Spartan weaponry and military formations.
 Alcman wrote in the late 7th century, following the Second Messenian War. Unlike
Tyrtaeus, he wrote of beauty, love and the natural attractions of Sparta. Only some of
his poetry survives. It was sung at festivals by choirs of girls.
4. Greek writers’ views of Sparta:
 Most of the ancient writers whose works have survived were admirers of Sparta during
the Classical period. Aristotle was the main exception.
 Herodotus was impressed by Sparta’s military prowess, particularly during the two
Persian Wars. However, he had little to say about Spartan society.
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Thucydides admired the strength and stability of Sparta’s constitution. However, he
criticised Sparta for its lack of initiative – particularly in allowing Athens to grow so
strong.
Xenophon had first-hand knowledge of Sparta in the 4th century BC, and was a personal
friend of King Agesilaus II. He admired almost everything about Sparta – its legal system,
its education system, its political system, its highly structured social system and its
military prowess.
Aristotle was an Athenian philosopher who wrote in the 4th century. He was a critic of
most aspects of Spartan society, believing it to be unjust, corrupt and inefficient. He was
particularly critical of the freedom given to Spartan women.
Pausanias was a geographer, who described the architecture of Sparta. He had nothing
to say about Spartan society during the Classical period.
Plutarch was a Greek historian who lived in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. He was an
admirer of the Spartan education system.
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