What army formation was the most common in Sparta?
Phalanx
The kings had two priesthoods - Zeus?
Zeus Lacedemonios and Zeus Uranios
What happened to Spartan babies who were considered to be ill born?
They were thrown into a chasm at the foot of Mt Taygetos
What was the Spartan shield called?
Aspida
What were spoken directions about how Sparta should be organised called?
Great Rhetra
What is the area that Sparta is located in known as?
Lacedaemonia (Lakonia and Messene
Name the two rivers that supplied fresh water to Sparta.
Eurotas and Pamisos Rivers
Who were the peioikoi?
Literally dwellers around, not citizens
Name of the Spartan education system?
Agoge
What was the name of the festival that worshipped Apollo?
Hyakinthia
Spartiates who failed the agoge, who lost citizenship through cowardice etc, were...
Inferiors
What was the Ephorate made up of?
Five (5) magistrates elected by citizens. They had to be over 30 years old.
What was the name of communal messes where Spartiates had common meals?
Syssition
Could women own land in Sparta?
Yes
What was the strenuous dance performed by women called?
Bibasis
What was the name of the 'secret police' in Sparta
Krypteia
Kryptonite
Krypton
Kryptkeeper
Which ancient historian travelled the ancient world and wrote about Sparta?
Herodotus
Name the three stages of the agoge.
Paides (7-17), Paidiskoi (18-19), Hebontes (20-29)
Name the town and natural harbour that Spartans used.
Gytheion
What was the important temple and site of the cult of Apollo called?
Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia
Who were helots in Sparta?
State owned slaves
Which ancient source said that the Spartan army was seen as the 'walls' of Sparta?
Pausanius
How old were boys when they entered to agoge?
Seven (7)
Which ancient source admired Sparta?
Xenopohon
What was Spartan 'currency' made of?
Iron
What happened to physically superior helots or had shown bravery in battle?
Disappeared - possibly culled by the krypteia
The council of elder noblemen (28 citizens of noble birth + the two kings - name?
Gerousia
Name of legendary law giver?
Lycurgus
Name the three mountain ranges that form a natural defensive barrier around Sparta.
Taygetus, Parnon and Arcadian
What name was given to the twins Castor and Polydeuces?
The Diuscuri
Who supposedly gave Lycurgus directions for laws to run Sparta?
Oracle of Delphi
Who was the god of the sea in Spartan religion?
Poseidon