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Ancient Sparta
Sparta was a very powerful state in Ancient Greece.
Though there were many rulers, there was one who
was famous; his name was King Leonidas I. People
thought he was a great ruler because of what he did in
the Persian War. Young boys were taught to be
warriors and not cowards; because they had different
ways in life to other states there was conflict between
Sparta and other states like Athens.

Q1
Ancient Sparta was a warrior state filled with men,
women, boys and girls. Each Spartan man owned a
farm but spent most of his time getting ready for battle.
This is a map of
Sparta. Sparta was a
strong state with
powerful warriors.

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Spartan warriors had to be strong and brave. A man
fully became a soldier when he turned twenty years
old, but a young boys training started at seven years
old when he left to live in a military school. The boys
only had one tunic and walked with no shoes, just
barefoot. Boys learnt how to steal and to live rough.
Being a Spartan
woman would have been hard in Ancient Sparta. They
werent allowed to be a Spartan citizen, or vote and
they werent even allowed to hold public office.
Though they couldnt go and vote they were allowed to
own land and also represent in court. Spartan women
had more respect than most other states in Greece.
When they were young they learnt to be brave and not
to be outspoken. Spartan women were dressed in plain
clothing, with their hair short. They also didnt make
themselves look beautiful with makeup, jewellery or
This is a picture of the
Spartan warriors.
These warriors were
men and learnt to
fight when they were
7 years old.
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perfume. As a Spartan woman, their role in life was to
bear strong, healthy children.
Growing up in Sparta was tough. A sick or ill baby
would suffer and die. Spartan children were very lucky
to survive. Children in Spartan times walked or ran
around without any clothes. Boys were trained to fight
and did athletics. Sparta was a fortified state
surrounded by farmlands. Farmers produced the food
that Spartan citizens needed to live, so it was essential
that that they had enough seeds so the crops would
flourish. Spartan men protected Sparta from unwanted
visitors and many wars were won by them and the
ruling king.








This is statue of king
Leonidas. It was built
for his and other
Greeks sacrifice in
battle.
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Q2
Many kings have ruled Sparta but one was famous for
what he did. King Leonidas was the son of King
Anaxandridas. He was a half-brother to Cleomenes but
Leonidas still became king because Cleomenes died.
Both brothers said that the Great Hercules would be
their ancestor. Leonidas fought against the Persians at
the pass of
Thermopylae in 480BC.




Leonidas was told by
the Delphic Oracle, that Sparta would fall or the king
would die. Instead of letting his kingdom get destroyed
he chose the other alternative, Leonidas went to fight
the Persians. Only three hundred Spartan warriors
went but the Thespians and Thebans accompanied
them. The Spartans fought against Persian army that
had 250 000 soldiers.
They defended and held their ground at the pass of
Thermopylae for two days. While waiting for more
Hercules was the
ancestor of Leonidas.
This is a pottery
painting of Hercules.
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men they fought at the pass that was just 13m wide.
The third day, a man (from the Spartan side, or
Thespians or the Thebans it is not certain which side he
was from) betrayed them and lead the enemy another
way into the mountain. In the end the King ordered a
retreat but it ended with the king dying in battle.
Though they died they are famous for their sacrifice.
Q3
Athens and Sparta were the two strongest and
powerful states in all of Ancient Greece. Though the
two states fought together against foreign states, they
stayed enemies. Both states were determined to get
other states to live just like them. In 431 BCE (before
the Common Era or just BC) Sparta and Athens started
the Peloponnesian War which lasted 30 long years. In
the end Athens was defeated by Sparta. The Greek
democracy stayed in some states but none were as
string as Athens.
Athens and Sparta worship the same Gods and the
same alphabet but both had different laws. Athenian
citizens chose how Athens should run. At the
assembling of governments, they decided and voted on
laws and also chose to elect officials. The council had
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500 members but the jury courts were rotated. This
meant every Athenian citizen took part in these events.
If someone was to try and get hold of the power, the
citizens would speak up and he/she would be exiled. If
someone had a concern, they would scratch the mans
name on a piece of ostracon. (Piece of pottery)
Dorians were the ancestors of the Spartans. The
Ancestors, the Dorians ruled with two kings in Sparta.
One who ruled and led the armies and the other who
ruled at Sparta. During the 7
th
century BC, the
government would be an oligarchy. (A small group of
people) Only few families had power to control the
ephorate and control the elders council. Only two
bodies could choose the laws and policies. The Spartan
citizens in meetings of apella, would choose to vote.
(They couldnt discuss anything but they could say yes
or no.
In conclusion, Sparta was a strong and powerful state
who was a rival to many states and invaders. Ancient
Spartan times were harsh; people had to be strong and
fit. They had great kings like Leonidas and they had
different ways for democracy. Sparta was a powerful
state that made many stands in battle but not every
state or country can win every fight.
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Bibliography
Pictures and Websites:


http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-
pvL_qHlojEo/UgOyYBtSB7I/AAAAAAAAFAA/dgN0q
JUVH90/s640/soldiers.jpg
http://ancienthistory.about.com/cs/people/g/leon
idas.htm
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/
a/a5/AGMA_Ostrakon_Cimon.jpg
http://www.athenstourgreece.com/wp-
content/uploads/2012/04/ancient-sparta-king-
leonidas-300x204.jpg
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/anc
ient_greeks/sparta/
http://www.theoi.com/image/M13.1Hydra.jpg
https://ehsworldstudiesjackoboice.wikispaces.com
/file/view/Sparta.gif/167652943/394x366/Sparta.g
if
Books:
Author Title of book Place book Year
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was
published
published
Hayden
Middleton
Ancient
Greek war
and weapons
Great
Britain
2002
Greg Owens Ancient
Greece
Great
Britain
2007
M. East, M
etal
Sose Alive Qld,
Australia
2003
J. H, M etal Ancient
World
London,
Great
Britain
2000, 2007