Question
A [Spartan] father had no right to decide whether to rear his newly born son or not. He was obliged to take the baby to the elders of his tribe for inspection. If they were satisfied that he was strong and healthy, they gave it back to the father to be brought up; if not, they ordered it to be exposed [left outside to die]. A Spartiate’s son was nurtured by his parents only until he was seven years old. At that age he was removed from his family and, from his eighth to his twenty-first year, he was educated by the state according to a rigorous [military-like] discipline. This state-controlled education, or agoge, [“a-go-gee”] occupied a central place in the Spartan system….
An important magistrate [official], the Warden of the Boys, was appointed to take charge of the agoge. His authority over the boys resembled that of a general over an army. He was assisted in the enforcement of discipline by a number of citizens called Whip-bearers….
Immediately on his beginning the agoge, the seven-year old boy was enrolled in one of the ‘troops’…. Each troop was captained by one of the boys, whose orders the rest had to obey. Only the rudiments [basics] of reading and writing were taught; instruction consisted for the most part in … obedience, bodily fitness, and courage to conquer in battle. At the age of twelve a boy’s regimen became even more severe.… Youths in the senior age-class of the agoge behaved like officers, organizing war-games for the boys and in the evening presiding in the mess [outside dining area]. Boys were encouraged to go out and steal food for the mess, but if caught stealing they were whipped. Athletic contests formed a large part of training in the agoge….
Document AnalysisHide
How many years did Spartan boys spend in the agoge?
Enter your response here
Is there evidence in this document to suggest that Spartan boys developed stronger attachments to their agoge troops than to their families? Explain.
Enter your response here
What Spartan values are suggested by this document?
Enter your response here
Judging from this document, what were the strengths of Spartan education?
Enter your response here
Judging from this document, what were the weaknesses of Spartan education?
Enter your response here
An important magistrate [official], the Warden of the Boys, was appointed to take charge of the agoge. His authority over the boys resembled that of a general over an army. He was assisted in the enforcement of discipline by a number of citizens called Whip-bearers….
Immediately on his beginning the agoge, the seven-year old boy was enrolled in one of the ‘troops’…. Each troop was captained by one of the boys, whose orders the rest had to obey. Only the rudiments [basics] of reading and writing were taught; instruction consisted for the most part in … obedience, bodily fitness, and courage to conquer in battle. At the age of twelve a boy’s regimen became even more severe.… Youths in the senior age-class of the agoge behaved like officers, organizing war-games for the boys and in the evening presiding in the mess [outside dining area]. Boys were encouraged to go out and steal food for the mess, but if caught stealing they were whipped. Athletic contests formed a large part of training in the agoge….
Document AnalysisHide
How many years did Spartan boys spend in the agoge?
Enter your response here
Is there evidence in this document to suggest that Spartan boys developed stronger attachments to their agoge troops than to their families? Explain.
Enter your response here
What Spartan values are suggested by this document?
Enter your response here
Judging from this document, what were the strengths of Spartan education?
Enter your response here
Judging from this document, what were the weaknesses of Spartan education?
Enter your response here
Answers
GPT-4o mini
**How many years did Spartan boys spend in the agoge?**
Spartan boys spent approximately 14 years in the agoge, from the age of 7 until they turned 21.
**Is there evidence in this document to suggest that Spartan boys developed stronger attachments to their agoge troops than to their families? Explain.**
Yes, there is evidence suggesting that Spartan boys may have developed stronger attachments to their agoge troops than to their families. The document describes how boys were removed from their families at the age of 7 and placed into troops, where they were trained to obey the captain of their troop and engaged in collective activities like war-games and mess dining. This emphasizes camaraderie and teamwork, which likely fostered strong bonds among the boys in the agoge, potentially overshadowing familial attachments.
**What Spartan values are suggested by this document?**
The document suggests several Spartan values, including discipline, obedience, physical fitness, courage, and a strong military focus. The rigor of the agoge, the importance of training for battle, and the encouragement to steal food to develop resourcefulness all reflect a society that values toughness, resilience, and readiness for warfare.
**Judging from this document, what were the strengths of Spartan education?**
The strengths of Spartan education included the development of strong physical conditioning and military skills, a sense of teamwork and leadership among peers, and instilling discipline and obedience. The agoge's focus on creating soldiers who could function effectively in battle and the competitive nature of the training likely contributed to producing highly capable warriors.
**Judging from this document, what were the weaknesses of Spartan education?**
The weaknesses of Spartan education included a lack of comprehensive academic education, as only the basics of reading and writing were taught. The harsh disciplinary measures, including whipping for stealing food, suggest a culture of extreme punishment that could lead to fear and resentment rather than genuine learning or personal development. Additionally, the emotional disconnect from family and reliance on state-controlled education may have stifled individual creativity and emotional support.
Spartan boys spent approximately 14 years in the agoge, from the age of 7 until they turned 21.
**Is there evidence in this document to suggest that Spartan boys developed stronger attachments to their agoge troops than to their families? Explain.**
Yes, there is evidence suggesting that Spartan boys may have developed stronger attachments to their agoge troops than to their families. The document describes how boys were removed from their families at the age of 7 and placed into troops, where they were trained to obey the captain of their troop and engaged in collective activities like war-games and mess dining. This emphasizes camaraderie and teamwork, which likely fostered strong bonds among the boys in the agoge, potentially overshadowing familial attachments.
**What Spartan values are suggested by this document?**
The document suggests several Spartan values, including discipline, obedience, physical fitness, courage, and a strong military focus. The rigor of the agoge, the importance of training for battle, and the encouragement to steal food to develop resourcefulness all reflect a society that values toughness, resilience, and readiness for warfare.
**Judging from this document, what were the strengths of Spartan education?**
The strengths of Spartan education included the development of strong physical conditioning and military skills, a sense of teamwork and leadership among peers, and instilling discipline and obedience. The agoge's focus on creating soldiers who could function effectively in battle and the competitive nature of the training likely contributed to producing highly capable warriors.
**Judging from this document, what were the weaknesses of Spartan education?**
The weaknesses of Spartan education included a lack of comprehensive academic education, as only the basics of reading and writing were taught. The harsh disciplinary measures, including whipping for stealing food, suggest a culture of extreme punishment that could lead to fear and resentment rather than genuine learning or personal development. Additionally, the emotional disconnect from family and reliance on state-controlled education may have stifled individual creativity and emotional support.