Sparta Notes

Sparta Notes

Greece: Spartan society to the Battle of Leuctra 371 BC

Principal Focus: The investigation of key features of Spartan society to the Battle of Leuctra
371 BC, through a range of archaeological and written sources and relevant historiographical
issues.

1 The geographical setting

– the geographical setting, natural features and resources of ancient Sparta\

Setting and natural features –
Sparta was situated around 200 meters above sea level at the northern end of the alluvial plain of Lakonia. To the west of Sparta lay the Taygetus mountain range, the Parnon mountain range was situated on the eastern side and the Arcadian mountains on the northern side. These mountain ranges provided Sparta with a natural barrier around the valley. To the right of Sparta was the Eurotas valley, this plain provided fertile soil for agricultural and pastoral activities, however a geological fault line ran through the valley causing earthquakes in the area. The Spartan climate was cold in winters and hot in summers.

Resources –
The rich agricultural lands produced barley, wheat, olives, grapes and figs. Animals were grazed on the lands such as cattle, horses, goats, sheep and pigs which produced ,eat, milk, cheese, wool and hides. Sparta had to import copper and tin to make bronze they were able to mine iron and lead and the coastline produced the molluscs from which purple/red dye was made. The mountain ranges situated around Sparta provided excellent hunting grounds and valuable timber. Bees were also colonised to provide wax and honey.
Evidence – Strabo reveals that Laconia has much arable land and easy to cultivate and it forms a natural barrier from enemies. Messenia is a land of fine fruits and innumerable streams, abounding in pasturage for cattle and sheep. “Whose fertile is greater than words can express. Laconia owns quarries of very costly marble.”

INCLUDE PICTURE

– significant sites: Sparta

2 Social structure and political...