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Spartan Culture Essay

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There is a considerable amount of evidence, revealing aspects of cultural life in Sparta during this period. According to Brennan [2007], Early Sparta had a vivid culture where many different forms of art were created. The evidence that provides such information includes art, architecture and writings and literature. Thus, the evidence reveals ample information about cultural life in Sparta, at the time. There is evidence that art was one of the major forms of cultural expression. Pausanias mentions many statues at Sparta and it is likely that the majority of these would be made from bronze. This reveals the importance of culture in Spartan society at the time. The archaeological evidence of The Vix Crater, used for mixing water and wine and weighing two hundred kilograms, suggests that it was made for display instead of practical use [Brennan, 2007]. It is decorated with hoplites and shields, where this expresses the importance of military in Sparta. According to Herodotus there was a huge bronze bowl made as a present for the wealthy King of Kroisos of Lydia in Asia Minor, where it was large enough to …show more content…

The Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia was a significant religious place [Brennan, 2007]. It was created to convey their devotion to the Artemis, the goddess of fertility and childbirth [Webb, 2012]. The remains are depicted in source A, where the foundations are still visible. According to Pausanias, boys were flogged in the sanctuary as part of initiation into manhood. The archaeological evidence of the remains of the lead figurines showing hoplites, women and other votive offerings is suggestive of the importance of military, the role of women and the significance of religion at the time. Archaeological evidence also reveals many ivory carvings found at the Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia, where this demonstrates that the Spartan’s must have been involved in trading with other

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