The Importance Of Athletic Games And Education In Ancient Greece

Athletic games and education were an important part of both Athenian and Spartan civic culture, as well as, present American civic culture. Athletic games and education in all of these societies was seen as a crucial part in the development of youth upbringing and in crafting civic identity among cultures. Each culture, respectfully, held their own sporting events locally, as well as, competed in the Olympics. All of these cultures saw value in competition, showmanship and idolizing those who can be looked up to as an outstanding citizen by virtue of their prominence in athletic ability and temperament when faced with adversity. These qualities of citizens of each culture are praised for similar reasons despite the vast differences between …show more content…
But unlike Athenians, Spartans had their youth starting from age seven live in the agoge with other boys their age in what were called “herds”. Also unlike Athens girls were permitted to exercise in the agoge. Spartans believed that strong women made strong babies, which was important since the Spartans were perpetually at war. The boys were held together in their herds until they were thirty. They were ill clothed and fed, forced to scramble for resources while evading punishment for being caught stealing. They were often whipped to increase their pain tolerance and help them endure the hardships of warfare. Although far more brutal than their Athenian counterparts, they still competed in athletic contests at home and at the Olympics. Their idea of sport was more focused on the preparation of war, but it still extolled values of ideal citizenship such as being fit and not surrendering in the face of …show more content…
Children are still taught be hard working and relentless, although now it does not pertain to war so much, these lessons have been cornerstone in teaching youth how to live properly and be an outstanding citizen. Gymnasiums are in every school and despite the fact that there is no nudity the message remains the same. Citizens should be excellent in both mind and body or how the ancients put it mens sana in corpore