Ancient Sparta was the first democracy in recorded history. It was the first and only Greek city-state to develop a complex system of mutual-defense treaties. Spartans developed governments and organized their citizens according to some sort of constitution or set of laws. They were allowed to feel the near of hunger and were encouraged eat by gathering food for themselves. It was the only Greek city-state in which women enjoyed equal rights such as the right to public education. The Spartan government was founded on the principle that the life of every individual, from the moment of birth, belonged absolutely to the state. At the age of 7, boys were removed from their parents' control and organized into small groups. The strongest
