# data[].attributes.body
Spartans succeeded in maintaining

control over their subject peoples

for nearly 250 years

lagged behind in economic development

heavy iron bars- currency

discourage trade and remain self-reliant

shunned philosophy, science and arts

exceptional athletes

soldiers played key roles in defending Greece against invaders

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According to tradition Sparta's government

was set up by Lycurgus during 800s BC

Two kings officially ruled jointly

had little power

Assembly- made up of all male citizens over

age of 30, passed laws and made decisions

concerning war and peace

every year, Assembly elected 5 overseers

or ephors to administer public affairs

ephors could also veto legislation

Council of Elders- 28 men over 60 proposed

laws to Assembly and served as supreme court

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brought up women as healthy

and strong as possible

female infants- as much food as

brothers

Young Spartan girls- trained in

gymnastics, wrestling and boxing

women married at 19

increased likelihood of having

healthy children

gave women more personal

freedom than women of other

Greek city-states

could go shopping in marketplace,

attend dinners with non family members,

own property

express opinions on public issues

could not take part in government

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all life in Sparta revolved around army

Spartan men- first rate soldiers

Spartan women- aspire to become

mothers of soldiers

despised other Greeks who lived behind city walls

believed a city defended by Spartan soldiers-

didn't need walls

government officials examined newborn infants

to see if they were healthy

if not, official left sickly infant on hillside to die

age of 7, Spartan boys taken from homes and

placed in military barracks

training- included learning to read, write and use

weapons

20- Spartan men became soldiers- sent to frontier

areas

30 - expected to marry

spent days in military drill until 60 when they could

retire from army

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descendants of Dorian invaders of dark age

founded Sparta

located in Peloponnesus

peninsula of southern Greece

Sparta- based economy on agriculture

Spartans invaded neighboring city-states

enslaved local people

owned many slaves (helots)

farmed estates of individual Spartans

Perioikoi- artisans and merchants from

conquered territories worked for Spartans

Helots and Perioikoi- outnumbered

Spartans by about 200,000 to 10,000

650 BC- helots revolted

30 years but the Spartans managed to

suppress revolt

only way to maintain power- establish a

military society

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city-state very different from Athens

differ greatly in values, cultures and

accomplishments