Sparta
From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sparta is a city in Greece. It is the capital of the Laconia prefecture, which is on the Peloponnese peninsula. Sparta was a stable and solid political/city state with a very strong military and a government that was well lead. Sparta held a firm military, and was known as one of the strongest city-states in Greece. Only the strongest survived in Sparta, male or female. The Spartans weeded out their young early, they were taken to a moutainside and inspected if they had no flaws they were sent back home but if they had any flaw, they were left on the mountainside to die. They were taken from their homes at the age of seven to begin a military life. The Spartans were allowed to become soldiers at age 20, citizens at age 30 and retire at age sixty. Men were encouraged to train hard to become brave warriors of the legendary Spartan army, whereas women were encouraged to keep healthy so that they could produce healthy, fit babies to grow up to be strong. Spartans saw little moral value in the concept of childbirth; unless the child was fit to become a Spartan, he would die.
Sparta had a branch like government with checks and balances. The executive branch was lead by two kings. The legislative branch was lead by the citizens. and the judicial branch was controlled by the elders. Also there was a committie of five men who were in charge of the education process that young boys and girls went through.
Sparta enslaved the people of Messenia around 640-620 BC.These slaves later became known as the Helots. Helots. Helots spent their lives farming their Spartan masters kleros(Land Granted to Spartan Citizens). At most times the Helots outnumberes their Spartan masters 10 to 1. They rebelled often, although never at any time able to overthrow their oppressors.
Once a Spartan reached the age of 20 he or she would then become a Homoioi. A Homoioi was a member of the ruling class(a citizen). Both men and women were citizens. Sparta was the leading society for women's rights as women were considered to be equal.
The Spartans also used iron rods for money.