Pederasty in Ancient Sparta?

Question

I have heard from some strong sources that Spartans were heavy on pederasty, and from similarly strong sources that they are singled out from most other Greek states in the fact that they didn't practice it.
Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spartan_pederasty,
and this site : http://www.arikah.com/encyclopedia/Pederasty_in_ancient_Greece#Sparta
talks of spartan pederasty, saying that Spartans were the first to do nude athletics and that man-boy relationships were a part of the Spartan Agoge.

However, these two sites about women's rights in Ancient Greece note that practice of Pederasty was reported as flat out non-existent in Sparta by Xenophon, and quotes Aristotle in saying that homosexuality was not present.
http://elysiumgates.com/~helena/Women.html

Is there an explination for this confliction, or is one wrong?

Answer 1

I think that it lies in the distinction between pederasty and homosexuality. Think of it in terms of something like courtly love (seen in the middle ages) - sexual satisfaction was not the end goal or result.

Pederasty didn't necessarily denote a sexual relationship between the boy and man. The agoge (education of the ruling class) in Sparta was founded on the notion of pederasty, but it was more about passing on knowledge and ensuring loyalty on the battlefield. Think of it as a form of mentoring.

It makes sense that there would be no emphasis on male/male sexual relations in Sparta. They were like workhorses - they focused on war and making Sparta as strong as possible. One aspect of making Sparta strong was reproducing strong citizens. Obviously, this means that men were expected to have sexual relations with their wives.

Answer 2

Pederasty In Ancient Greece

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Pederasty in Ancient Sparta?
I have heard from some strong sources that Spartans were heavy on pederasty, and from similarly strong sources that they are singled out from most other Greek states in the fact that they didn't practice it.
Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spartan_pederasty,
and this site :...

Answer 4

Look for information on the THeban Sacred Band, which was an elite fighting force made up of pairs of homosexual lovers, usually one older and one younger. Also, look at the training of Spartan soldiers. It was required that recruits form a relationship with a serving experienced soldier as a lover and mentor. Another classic individual example is the relationship between Alexander the Great and Hephaistion.