Geographical Setting

- DORIANS: identifying them cause of their cultural background - CONTEXT: were unique in the ancient worlds they developed a society geared for war very

few primary sources divided views

Origins- DORIANS: Dorian tribes took control of the land and made the native peasants into helots –

state-owned serfs who had to work the land- LOST: The origins of the Spartan people are lost in ancient myths and conjecture.- MYCENEAN/PELOPONNESE: The Mycenaean civilization existed around surrounding areas of

the Peloponnese; however their civilization is said to have collapsed c.1200-1100 BC.- 9TH CENTURY BC: Historic Sparta, however, is believed to

have emerged around the 9th century BC.

Geographical Setting, Natural Features and the resources of ancient Sparta Geographical Setting- PELLEPNESE: Sparta was situated in the large peninsula of

southern Greece, known as the Peloponnese.- LACEDAEMON: is the name of the two regions joined

Laconia Messenia

Natural Features- FERTILE LAND: Set on one of the most fertile plains in

Greece - good for growing crops and grazing horses. - EUROTAS RIVER: this provided Sparta’s water supply - BORDERED BY THREE DIFFERENT MOUNTAIN RANGES:

These Mountains formed a natural barrier for Sparta, both protecting and isolating it from the rest of Greece: Taygetus Mountains in the West. Parnon Mountains in the East. Arcadian mountains in the North

- GYTHENION HARBOUR: Main harbor was Gytheion.- CLIMATE: was cold in winter (snow on Taygetus Mountains) and hot in summer Rainfall was

light but adequate

Resources of Ancient Sparta (Laconia and Messina) - MAIN RESOURCES: the main resources of Laconia and Messina include:

Iron and lead WEAPONS

Crops :barley and wheat Fruit orchards: figs, olives, grapes (for wine) Animals/Livestock: Plains to graze sheep and goats, which

provided milk, cheese, skins, wool, hair and fat Pigs and hens Animals hunted for food and sport.

Bees to provide honey and wax. Timber and stone from mountains. WEAPONS Shellfish and fish from Gytheion (shellfish also provided

dye for the textile industry).

Importance of all of this- TRADE: they have a lot that they can trade with

constant flow of trade - HIGH STANDARD OF LIVING: everyone is happy

relative peace no civil wars more successful - NOT A HEAVY RELIANCE ON ITHER CIVILISATIONS (self sufficient): - TIME SAVING ADAVATAGES: As the resources were their they can afford to have the Spartan

men out training as the resources they had had them set allowing them to devoted time to war and training advantage in war

The Significant sites: Sparta - FIVE SEPARATE VILLAGES: and large rural area, unlike typical Greek city-states which comprised

of a single city four were situated on the river

Major Sites- THE ACRPOLIS: sits on the highest of a group of low hills - TEMPLE OF ATHENA: it was a temple dedicated to Athena- TEMPLE OF ARTEMIS ORTHIA (Protector of the Life Cycle): it is located along the

bank of the Eurotas river on the outskirts of Sparta Orthia was a local goddess in the southern Peninsula it had a temple and an Altar (where the floggings took place) It was used as a theatre for the flogging re-enactment rituals for boys and men until they bled Figurines have been found in the form of human and divine figures

- MENELAION: is a shrine to Helen and Menelaos the legendary figures of the Trojan War it stood on a hill 5 kilometres from Sparta

- SHRINE OF APOLLO: this was 5 kilometres south of Spartatoday there are remains of the walls it was the site of the Hyakinthia festival

The Acropolis

Temple of Artemis Orthia

Menelaion