i know that they were battlers, but what about battles?
and what else about Sparta made it so amazing!?
2007-03-15 14:47:05 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
Spartants tried to be the best there was in battling and war strategies. They lived frugally (hence spartan way of life), they treated their children like strangers once they were 7 years old, sent them to special camps where they learned the art of war. Children were fed very little and were almost forced to steal in order to survive. When found out, they were severely punished, not for stealing, but for getting caught.
Spartans were also raised to be fearless. On their way to the war, the sons would be told by their mothers to return "with the shield in their hand or under it (when a warrior died, they put his shield over him like a cover, in honor). Basically, if you lost a battle or war, you don't return home.
The battlefield Termopyle (also a sight of an event that started the expression "marathon") was guarded by 300 Spartans against thousands of invaders. They all died, but Athens won due to Spartan heroism...
2007-03-15 15:05:15 · answer #1 · answered by Morgana D 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because Athens is famous, Sparta became famous.
Just as the Carthaginians are famous on account of the fame of the Romans and without the Jew the Canaanites would have no fame.
This is the only reason, for without an interest in Sparta no one would read books like Plutarch's biography of Lycurgus the Lawgiver-founder of Spartan law and custom, and thus they would not know how strange and perverted the polis really was. But since Athens produced so much including standing structures, in the Periclean age 5th century B.C. we look into them and see Sparta as her chief Nemesis who the Athenians respect. Only then are we taken in by this strange people with 2 kings and 6 braids of hair. Then we look into them and see quickly that they were just a bunch of degenerate thugs.
2007-03-15 22:11:36 · answer #2 · answered by sean e 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The life in Sparta was just bizarre. Guys had to live in the barracks until they were 30, and they had to take their meals there until they were like 70.
Deformed children were killed.
Sparta actually looked down on trade and their citizens were strongly discouraged from traveling.
A contemporary said something to the effect of "of course Spartans are willing to die for their city. What do they have to live for?"
However, they managed to pull together the rest of the Greek city states to battle Athens during the Peloponnesian War.
2007-03-15 22:00:35 · answer #3 · answered by Monc 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would say the Spartans were so famous becuase of their last stand at the Battle of Thermopylae. Since they defied King Xerxes who thought of himself as a god. Also since they only took 300 soldiers and with the help of other Greeks held the pass for 3 days. They are also famous for winning the Peloponnesian War which lasted 27 years. They were the leaders of the Peloponnesian League, they were the first military state in Greece, i think stuff like that.
2007-03-16 09:15:45 · answer #4 · answered by josh m 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Spartans were not just battlers, the were the best warriors in Greek society. A Spartan was chosen to lead a force of Greek coalition troops to hold off King Xerxes' massive invasion force, King Leonidas. True to their laws, the Spartans did not retreat, nor did they surrender. Sparta was at one time, the most powerful city-state in the whole of Greece.
2007-03-15 22:09:41 · answer #5 · answered by Charlie L 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Spartans are so famous because they were ruthless killers. breeded and born to fight. normally what would happen, after the birth of a male, the child would be bathed in wine to test whether it was strong or not, if it was it was kept. babies that were weak or deformed were left out in the wilderness to be eaten.
basically, the men were in war or waiting for war for most of their lives. spartans who didnt fight, were killed or brutally bashed by their own. one of the worst things a spartan could do, was become weak in battle...a chicken...one who was a coward. for a coward, was the opposite to what a spartan was. they were great fighters and at the time feared by many
2007-03-16 01:43:06 · answer #6 · answered by C Dizzle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sparta is famous for its frugality
2007-03-15 21:52:26 · answer #7 · answered by arf 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
300 is in the theatres, it is romanticized, but you'll get an answer.
2007-03-16 17:17:38 · answer #8 · answered by DAR 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
coz we juz love battes~
2007-03-15 21:49:16 · answer #9 · answered by Chanelle 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋