Stories from the Past: The Spartan School

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Stories from the Past The Spartan School
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Leon was a 12 year old who lived in Sparta. He
had been at school for five years, starting when
he was just 7.
Did YouKnow?
Sparta was an inward looking state that was
surrounded by mountains which protected it from
invaders.
Leon was already
a strong boy. He could fight,
run, jump and throw as well
as most men. He was also brave and rarely
complained about his life. He had been told that
complaining was a sign of weakness. Leon lived
in harsh conditions, without luxuries. This would
make him a tough fighter in years to come.
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Did YouKnow?
Leon was very proud to be a Spartan. He knew
Sparta was one of the most powerful cities in
Ancient Greece. He looked forward to becoming a
full time soldier in eight years time.
Although life was harsh, Leon was now used to it.
He didnt mind not wearing shoes, and the
shortage of
Through school, Sparta wanted to produce men
capable of showing such bravery as soldiers.
Military strength was felt to be essential to
Sparta for their very survival.
food only made him more determined. He enjoyed
learning how to wrestle, how to throw javelins
and quoits, and how to survive war games.
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Not all of Leons school was about training to
be a soldier. They had to learn about Spartan
state laws, and about some of the people they had
to fight against. Leon was interested in learning
about the Helots, who lived in the mountains
around Sparta and were not to be trusted. Leons
teacher was called Ariston. He was in his 50s and
often
told the boys about his days in the Spartan Army.
He enjoyed showing the scars from his battles.
Leon thought he must have been an incredible
Spartan soldier.
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One morning, at the end of a running session,
Ariston called the boys in. You have all done
well, he shouted. One day you will serve the
state of Sparta with dignity and passion. But now
you need to learn some new skills.
Did YouKnow?
A Spartan girl also had to do hard physical
training so that she would bear strong children.
The Spartans despised comfort, good food, soft
clothes and useless talk.
Leon listened eagerly. Ariston was telling the
boys that they had to be sneaky and cunning. He
encouraged the boys to start stealing, but to
never get caught. Owning up is a sign of
weakness, he said. You must find a way to get
what you need without being caught.
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Yes Ariston, shouted the boys. Right!
From now on, there is no food for seven days. You
have to find your own, said Ariston. He lowered
his voice. Remember, do not get caught. The
strongest will survive. Leon felt nervous. Now
he had to fend for himself. This would be hard.
Food was sparse at the best of times.
That evening, he wandered around the city.
There was food, but it was for sale. There were
too many soldiers patrolling to risk stealing any
of it. Leon knew this was not going to be easy.
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Leon woke the next morning. He was tired. The
hunger had stopped him sleeping well. He looked
around his barracks. Some of the beds were empty,
whilst other Spartan boys slept. He looked
for food. The only food he could find were small
leftovers gripped tightly by the sleeping boys.
He wasnt that desperate yet! Leon decided to
head outside. Whatever the cost, he justhad to
find food today.
Did YouKnow?
Sparta and Athens were the two most powerful
cities in Ancient Greece. They had very different
types of lives, and were often at war.
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Leon wandered around the city. Everyone was
busy. Women were working at their homes, whilst
most men were dressed in military uniform. Leon
spotted a couple of houses that seemed to be
empty.
He crept inside, and headed for the kitchen. He
spotted half a loaf of bread near the clay oven.
He shoved it under his shirt, and climbed through
the window. He took a bite. Leon didnt care that
it was hard and stale. It was food, and it would
keep him going for another day.
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Unfortunately, the next day was hard. Leon
found no food. It was late afternoon, and Leon
knew he wouldnt sleep well if he didnt eat.
Then, Leon spotted a fox on a small patch of
farmyard. He crept nearer, and threw some stones
at it.
The fox was startled. Leon ran and dived. He
grabbed one of the foxs rear legs. The fox
struggled, but it couldnt escape. It wasnt
going to be tasty, but at last it would be meat
for Leon. Leon tiptoed out of the farmyard,
and sneaked back towards the barracks. However,
there was a problem. Two soldiers were
approaching. Leon knew the punishment for
stealing would be harsh.
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Leon stuffed the struggling fox into his
shirt, and tried to hide it with his arms.
The soldiers stopped. Where are you going young
man? The fox started to scratch and bite
Leons body. It was very painful, but Leon tried
not to let it show. Back to the barracks,
replied Leon. One of the soldiers looked at the
lump under Leons
Did YouKnow?
This bronze figure of a Spartan soldier dates
from the 5th Century BC. In this time Sparta had
become the strongest military power in Greece,
and were obsessed with war.
shirt. Whats in there? he asked. Oh, just
some wood for a fire, Leon said. He tried not to
move as the fox bit his arm.
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The soldiers were about to look, but Leon was
quick thinking. Over there! he shouted. The
Helots are here. As the soldiers looked away,
Leon ran as fast as he could. He weaved in
Did YouKnow?
Athens and Sparta fought against each other in
the Peloponnesian war which lasted for 27 years
from 431 to 404 BCE. The war divided Ancient
Greece and made it weaker.
and out of people until he was sure he had lost
the soldiers. He looked around. The coast was
clear for now. He grabbed a sheet of cloth and
covered his head. Still holding the fox, he
walked discreetly back to his barracks at school.
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Back at the barracks, Leon killed and ate some
of the fox. There would be enough food for two or
three days. I am impressed, said Ariston.
He had been watching Leon all the time. You were
cunning and sneaky. One day you will be a fine
soldier. Leon smiled. He had learnt a lot
about himself today.
For years to come, Ariston happily told other
Spartan boys about Leons story. There was no
better way of making the boys understand how
tough they had to be. As for Leon, he went on to
become a proud Spartan General.