Xenophon, Plutarch, Tyrtaue, And Alcman

Sparta was very different from other poleis in Greek history. They did things their own way. There is not a lot to know about Sparta, but we do have a few ancient authors to shine some light on topic such as, Xenophon, Thrucydides, Plutarch, Tyrtaues, and Alcman. Sparta did have a very unquie social hierarchy, which no other Greek polis had. Also, the Spartans boys and girl’s upbringings were very different, in which it gave them a lead in being on of the most powerful cities in the Greek world. Let’s dive in! There are five main ancient authors when it comes to talking about Spartan traditions and they are; Xenophon, Thrucydides, Plutarch, Tyrtaeus, and Alcman. We get most of our information from Xenophon and Plutarch, but Thyrydides,

Tyrtaeus is a Spartan poet who really encougaged young boys to fight their neighbors, the Messenians (Pom., pg. 161). Many of Tyrtaeus poems was about war, and the how the ideal Spartan man should be skilled in battle, and never surrender even if it meant dying (Pom., pg. 163). Alcman poems reflected more of an enlightenness to the Spartan community and traditions. He wrote more the beauty of women and the songs that unmarried Spartan girls sing on ceremonial occasions. He also wrote poems about the different kinds of luxury items there were including purple textiles, gold, song, dance, and racehorses (Pom., pg. 161). Alcman style of writing was more layed back then that of

Both sexes were educated in a way, boys were educated to survive anything, and many girls were educated on how to read and write. They were also well-nourished, and fitness was very important in both groups. When boys reached twelve years old they had to cut their hair very short, then when they reached the age of twenty they had to grow their hair out long and grow a really long beard but could not have a moustache (Pom., pg. 164). Women hairstyles changes in order to distinguish maidens form newly married women, who wore their hair short (Pom., pg. 167). The “stages of life” for a boy was organized by age groups, children, boys, youths, young men, and adults (Pom., pg. 164). The “stages of life” for a girl was divided up into children, young girls, maidens who had reached puberty, and married women (Pom., pg.