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The Spartans

Ancient Sparta was a warlike city-state in southern Greece which became the greatest military power in Greece after defeating Athens in 404 B.C. during the Peloponnesian War. The Spartans prized strength, the military, fitness and athletic prowess and emphasized service to the state. Part of the reason for an emphasis on military strength was due to the fact that the Helots, a conquered slave people used by Spartans to work the land, outnumbered Spartans. The Spartans feared a Helot uprising.

Spartans were raised to be strong and hearty. Boys began military training at the age of seven, living in dormitories, and were underfed to encourage them to learn to steal and forage for their own food. At the age of eighteen, they became part of the Spartan army and lived in dormitories until they were thirty years old. Spartan girls were also expected to be tough. They were taught gymnastics, athletics and survival skills as well as how to keep house.

In this mini unit, you can: read about the history of Ancient Sparta, learn about the wars between Sparta and other Greek cities and the later Battle of Thermopylae, review a map and timeline of Sparta, explore Spartan daily life and see if you have what it takes to be a Spartan.

Reading

History of Ancient Sparta

A Spartan Story – British Museum

Thermopylae: The Alamo of Greece

Map & Timeline

Map of Sparta

Spartan Timeline

Multimedia

The Battle of Thermopylae

Fun

The Spartan Challenge

Recommended Resource

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Tools of the Ancient Greeks explores the scientific discoveries, athletic innovations, engineering marvels, and innovative ideas created more than two thousand years ago. Through biographical sidebars, interesting facts, and 15 hands-on activities, readers will learn how Greek innovations and ideas shaped world history and our world view.

In Tools of the Ancient Greeks:

Meet the philosophers who helped shape our world view
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Build fifteen hands-on projects that help show how ancient Greece still influences us today.

Author: Kris Bordessa
List Price 16.95 Our Price 11.90
155 Pages, Soft Cover