Why Is Sparta An Ideal Society

“Over many centuries, Sparta has been seen as an ideal society. Is this a valid viewpoint? Using primary source materials, discuss why or why not Sparta might seem a positive model.” Many people have different thoughts about, but this is not a valid viewpoint. Although Sparta was a notorious and legendary army it was not an ideal society. Settled by Dorian tribes during the Dark Ages; two royal families claimed descent from Heracles. Only descendants of original Spartans, the Spartiates, were full citizens. Sparta was nothing like the movies that you see today that are made about them today. Majority of population were Helots, slaves owned by the state, about 80% of the population was slaves. One of the reason why they had such an uptight and very trained military was so that they could keep their slaves in order. Male citizens had to lead life as soldiers from age of 7, living in barracks and dining communally. Everyone in Greece knew …show more content…
Spartan women had more rights than those elsewhere in Greece. Spartan women were strong, both physically and mentally. The Spartan woman was educated, with knowledge of the arts, music, war, philosophy and much more, she was allowed rights that no other woman of Greece was afforded. Spartan women were the alpha women of the ancient Greek world. Spartan women also had many other benefits bestowed upon them, unlike their ancient Greek counterparts. They were not expected to eat as little as possible, instead they were allowed to indulge more, and were allowed to drink wine just like the Spartan men. Also, they were able to own their own land unlike other women in Greece. Spartan women were credited for making Spartan men strong, their strong hand and firm belief in the state was though to be one of the many reason for the military might of the ancient