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What Elderly Warriors Unable to Fight Do in Sparta
What Elderly Warriors Unable to Fight Do in Sparta

Video: What Elderly Warriors Unable to Fight Do in Sparta

Video: What Elderly Warriors Unable to Fight Do in Sparta
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From the Spartans in our time, only legends and tales remained, from which it followed that this people lived according to the harsh military laws. It was strength that was appreciated in Sparta, and according to an ancient legend, they threw weak newborns into the abyss. But with age, each person loses his strength.

What happened to the old people?

The way of life of the Spartans

The ancient Greek philosopher Xenophon admired the strength and power of a small state
The ancient Greek philosopher Xenophon admired the strength and power of a small state

Xenophon, the commander and part-time writer of Ancient Greece, wondered where such a powerful force came from in a country with a small population. As a result, he came to the conclusion that the reason for this is the competent approach of the state to the structure of life.

Weak babies were not left in Sparta, only strong healthy children had the right to live
Weak babies were not left in Sparta, only strong healthy children had the right to live

Boys between the ages of seven and twenty were sent to special military-type boarding schools. Here they believed that they were the property of the country, therefore they had to leave the family. State schools were the hallmark of Sparta.

Throughout all the school years, the boys were tempered, trained, and improved their skills (we are talking about martial art, skill, military tactics). They were also trained in specific rhetoric. The main task is to express your own thoughts as concisely and clearly as possible. The goal is to form a community of individuals who are useful to society, not obedient soldiers who thoughtlessly go to their death.

Spartan boys from early childhood were trained in special military-type boarding schools
Spartan boys from early childhood were trained in special military-type boarding schools

There were times when boys were provoked into fights by their own mentors. Thus, they determined which of the pupils was distinguished by special dexterity and strength, and who was a born wise organizer. It was extremely important here to know how the boys will behave in a given situation in a real situation.

Based on the child's abilities, he was assigned either a soldier or a commanding staff
Based on the child's abilities, he was assigned either a soldier or a commanding staff

After such a peculiar and rather tough test, they were distributed - someone was prepared for the soldier's service, and someone for the officer's. A lot of Spartans were wonderful athletes. They became participants in the Olympic Games and won serious awards.

Only the most talented and strong became commanders
Only the most talented and strong became commanders

Some later became officials and performed administrative functions. The state machine worked here clearly, ideally, without failures. Only philosophers fell into officials - people distinguished by wisdom, unselfishness, the ability to objectively assess the world around them.

The attitude to family and marriage in Sparta was utilitarian
The attitude to family and marriage in Sparta was utilitarian

As for family and marriage, the attitude towards them was utilitarian in Sparta. Here, literally everything came down to the interests of the country. This had to do with the spouses as well. Provided that the husband became disabled, weak and decrepit, and the wife was still young and strong, he was obliged to yield her to a stronger man.

The retirement age for the Spartans came only after 60 years
The retirement age for the Spartans came only after 60 years

Most of the young people were raised by soldiers. They were released from service only at the age of 60. By our standards, this is too harsh, but they were fully supported by the state.

This indicator also indicates the quality of health of the Spartans. To leave the service at this age, it had to be almost perfect. Land was allocated to the soldiers in retirement, but there were many who returned to the army or became local law enforcement officers.

Power system

The system of power in Ancient Sparta
The system of power in Ancient Sparta

Sparta was governed by a council of elders called Gerousia. It consisted of only 28 people over sixty years old. The council was tasked with passing state laws and serving as juries in court.

The main link in the system of government bodies was the Ephor board of five people. They were elected for a period of one year. Ephors were empowered to make important decisions and remove the king from the throne. They were treated with respect like sages. Many ephors were practicing philosophers, creating whole works on philosophy.

Elderly Spartans could do agriculture
Elderly Spartans could do agriculture

Thus, the Spartans had four paths in age. They could become farmers, join the police force, be elders or ephors.

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