What Is Sparta Education

Sparta was a society which was based strictly on equality, obedience, and discipline throughout their education of every Spartan child who had gone through arduous physical training and demanding routines. Through the way Sparta educated their people, known as the agoge, the boys’ endurance to pain, physical strength, and survival ability were challenged and enhanced.
According to the healthy diet set upon by Lycurgus, the youth of Sparta were set apart from the life of idleness and indulgences which had resulted in inequality in the past, for they lived with rather ceaseless rounds of work serving in government, military, or the agoge. The Spartans possessed strong bodies that had undergone training, resulting in the formation of warrior spirit and obedience which was the goal of its education. Spartan’s education disciplined its men beyond
their limited to reach one's full potential in order to contribute to the society by building physical and mental toughness which were ultimately evidenced through their conduct in war. Therefore, war served as a platform in which provided opportunities for warriors to demonstrate strength and courage and build up aretai in the bravery of valuing the state's benefit over oneself on behalf of one’s excellence in conduct and sacrifices.
Compared to the other Greek States, where the boys were pampered with luxury in food, clothing, and supplies, Sparta bore a distinctly different educational system. In Sparta, the boys were routinely punished severely with whips, which purpose was to make them modest and obedient men who obeyed the laws and orders later on in both the Sparta commonwealth and the war. They were given one garment all year to strengthen their ability to sustain temperature variation for their survival. Furthermore, not only were the boys not given shoes to soften their feet, their feet were hardened by going barefoot, which concluded in more speed and less danger when climbing and descending hills. Similarly, food was granted in a moderate amount to limit their appetite from indulging to abundance; for the boys were to endure hunger throughout their exercise and were to steal food without being discovered in order to become more resourceful soldiers in war. Ultimately, the boys were well disciplined and prepared to become good citizens and tough soldiers, which were resulted from the rigorous educational system of Sparta.
While the physical training in Sparta resulted in a powerful centralized military, the warriors’ mental toughness was practiced as they regarded death as glory and honor on the battlefield.
While fear was the nature of humanity, Sparta educated the men regarding the meaning of life, the obedience toward the law, and the loyalty toward Sparta. The exercise of virtue in every Spartan was presented in his sacrifices in war as he conquered the enemies and performed a heroic death Since Spartans were expected to defend the country for the well-being of their commonwealth until the moment of death, a great appreciation of life fulfilled Sparta even though death was not as frightening as a shameful life but rather preferable. Therefore, it was a blessing to acknowledge the death of the family’s male, for he honored generations of his family for his expression of warrior virtue through his valiant conduct and contribution for the commonwealth of Sparta. They were the utmost virtuous and selfless since they earned a good reputation for Spartan and brought influence to generations in his family to be recognized for his fine
comportment.
Sparta was a prosperous society due to a strong, centralized military. It demonstrated a proper use of men, which was military service to ensure safety and eliminated corruption and wants to daily essential for a life of simplicity in Sparta. Ultimately, humanity was challenged by the Spartan community, for the fear, selfishness, and greed in human instinct in which led to the failure of the country prospering were eradicated with the practice of virtue rooted in one’s infancy. Through the study of the rights and duties of citizenship as part of their education, Spartans produced a distinctive, highly structured way of life.