At the height of Sparta’s power – between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE – it was commonly accepted that, “one Spartan was worth several men of any other state.” A Spartan man’s involvement with the army began in infancy when he was inspected by the Gerousia. If the baby was found to be weak, he was left at Mount Taygetus to die. Those deemed strong were then put in the agoge at the age of seven. Under the agoge the young boys or Spartiates were kept under intense and rigorous military training. Their education focused primarily on sports and war tactics, but also included poetry, music, academics, and sometimes politics. Those who passed the agoge by the age of 30 were given full Spartan citizenship. Continue reading for more.
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