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ASpartiate[1] (Greek:Σπαρτιάτης,Spartiátēs) orHomoios (pl.Homoioi,Greek:Ὅμοιος, "alike") was anelite full-citizen man of theancient Greekcity-state ofSparta. They served as one of the city-state's ruling bodies, as well asheavy infantry in times of war. Known for theirmilitaristic indoctrination since childhood, the Spartiate became renowned for their prowess in battle. However, their population decreased overtime due to strict qualification, which affected the city-state in the years to come.
According to classical accounts, theSpartan Constitution was the product of the legendary lawgiver,Lycurgus.[2] He was said to have written the Spartan constitution early in theArchaic period, but dates in historical sources are wildly inconsistent, making it impossible to determine whether Lycurgus was an actual historical figure.[3][4] It is clear, however, that at some point in the late Archaic period, the model of Spartan society shifted from a monarchical system to anaristocracy of the elite warrior class.
The change is likely to have been in some way related to the transition from "Dark Age" warfare, in which nobles were the dominant force, to thehoplite warfare of the classical period. Around the time of that change, Sparta embarked on theconquest of the neighboring state of Messenia. The acquisition of such a comparatively large piece of territory and conquered population seems to have both provided the basis for the system of helotage, and required the existence of a large military force to keep the potentially rebellious Messenians under control. The Spartiates thus became a permanently armed master class, living off the labor of thehelots and preventing rebellion through constant struggle.[3]
Spartan citizenship was restricted to adult men withoutmetic ancestry, as in most Greekpoleis. In a system known as thekleros, full citizens were assigned to different plots of land to organize and develop through the use of the helotserfdom. This made the Spartiate similar tolanded gentry.[3] In order to keep the helots in check, all Spartiate must be trained and skilled in suppressing potential revolts and thus the need for a military-style system. As with landed gentry from other ethnicity or time periods, Spartiate cultivated a society marked by proud tradition, customs, andwarrior ethos.
A certain income was required to maintainsyssitia membership, and thus Spartiate status.[5] The syssitia were common-messes where all Spartans ate, though it could also be a term for military unit that numbered to 300 men.[6] Spartiates were expected to adhere to an ideal of military valor, as exemplified by the poems ofTyrtaeus, who praised men who fell in battle and heaped scorn on those who fled. Such ideals were standard for hoplite forces across Greece, as they relied on each man defending each other with the shield. Politically, Spartiate men composed the army assembly, the body that elected theephors, the most powerful magistrates of Sparta after the kings. This type of governing body resulted in anoligarchy that was responsible to the organizing of the nation.[7]
Spartiate upbringing has been noted throughout history for its brutality. From birth, prospective infants where inspected for any deformities and illnesses that they may carry growing up. Those who did not qualify where left in the forest to die. Male Spartiate would live under the care of his mother or any guardian until the age of 7, where afterwards he would be taken to live with other boys under the care of older Spartiate. This system became known as theagoge. Contrary to popular belief, there were no records for weaponry or formation drill trainings in theagoge.[7][3] Surviving detailed accounts stated that the only physical training Spartiate underwent were athletic exercises and dances, besides being taught how to read and write.[8]Wrestling was taught, though one later record suggest that the majority of combat sports were not favored.[7][8]
That being said, there was a level of harshness imposed on the boys. They were purposely starved to the point that they had to steal in order to survive, as well as forced to endure other hardships in order embed strict obedience.[9] By the age of 12, young Spartiate finally got to handle weapons as part of thecrypteia - select groups of men whose job was to cull helot population by assassinating prominent individuals who may inspire the slave-class to revolt. Some accounts also detailed wanton slaughter of any other helots found walking alone and at night.[10] Upon reaching young adulthood, the Spartiate were reliable and obedient citizens. They would continue to hone their skills through basic formation drills, exercises, and other methods of war.[7]
As eliteheavy infantry of their time, the Spartiate used thephalanx - a rigid but defensive formation made up of men arrayed in lines, which could number of upwards to 50 men.[11] What set them apart from other Greeks who used the same tactics was their more sophisticated drills. The Spartiate were one of the few who subdivided their armies and assigned officers to lead them, trained to march in step to the sound of flutes, passing instructions through achain of command, and wheeling or countermarching when in formation.[7][12] When faced with missile troops, the fitness they acquired from theagoge allowed them to chase downskirmishers and other swift-moving light infantries.[7]
The standard equipment of the Spartan hoplite were theaspis (shield),dory (spear),xiphos (straight sword), andkopis (curved sword).[13] The shield was given much importance in the army, and losing one was a mark of shame for the Spartan army. It was stated that when Spartiate went to war, their wives or mothers would point to the shield and said, "Either with this or on this."[14] The shield was vital to the phalanx formation; numerous congregating numbers of shielded men would create abronze wall that was near impervious from conventional arms of the time, including Persiancomposite bows.[15] Most of their other killing tools were made of iron.
Thekleros system allowed the Spartiate to purchase and maintain a full panoply of armor compared to other Greek allies, allowing them to use the stronger bronzecuirass or the lighterlinothorax reinforced with bronze scales or plates.[16] Their equipment and tactics allowed Spartans to dominate Greece and remain undefeated in battle for 150 years.[7] By the time of thePeloponnesian War, the Spartans attempted to standardized their equipment, such as using the samelambda-designed shields.[7] Throughout their long military history, the Spartans also employed other unique strategies, including false retreating or the "feigned retreat", which worked perfectly in battles such asSepeia,Thermopylae, andPlataea.[7][17][18]
The Spartans also led the lighter and more mobileSkiritai in battle.[19] Like the helots, these were native people of thePeloponnese who were also subjugated by the Spartans. However, possibly due to their miliary efficiency, and their homeland consisting of mountainous terrain, they were given protectorate status and a standard role in the Spartan military. The Skiritai was Sparta's main missile troops, serving as sentries, scouts, and light infantry. Indeed, the Spartiate did not use much ranged weapons, even finding it "unmanly" to throw one's spear unto an enemy - a belief that was shared by other Greek hoplites.[20] Additionally, the Spartiate also used horses and had a cavalry arm known as the "hippeis", although their contemporaries described the Spartan cavalry as unimpressive.[7]
Spartiate served as the smallest, though also the most powerful, class in the classical Spartan society. Said society was divided into several castes, each with assigned duties and responsibilities.
The Spartiate was the class who functioned as one with limited power in the government. Besides the Spartiate class, there were many free non-citizen underclasses. ThePerioeci, literally meaning "dwelling around", were citizens of smaller Laconianpolises that were subordinate to Sparta.[21][22][23]
There were also theHypomeiones, literally "inferiors", men who were probably, although not certainly, Spartiates who had lost their social rank (probably mostly because they could not affordsyssitia dues). TheMothax (plural Mothakes) were fostered with Spartiates and are generally thought to have been the children of slave rape by Spartiates. The term "Partheniai" seemed to be a similar term as it meant "children of unmarried mothers".[24] This group became noted in Spartan history for colonizing Tarentum inSouthern Italy. Additionally, historian W.G. Forrest believed there must be a geographical origin for this group.[24]
The lowest caste in Spartan society, however, were theHelots, who served as state-owned slaves orserfs who worked on the agriculture and other manual labor of the country.[21] Most of these serfs were people from Helos or Messenia that were subjugated by the Spartans.[25] In the late 5th century BC, a new class arrived that became known as theNeodamodes. Literally meaning "new to the community", they may have been composed of liberated Helots.Douloi, who werechattel slaves not tied to the land, also existed; earlier sources conflate them with helots, but later sources distinguished them.[26]
In the late 5th and early 4th centuries BC, the Spartiate class gradually shrank in number, along with Spartan military prowess.[27] Theoliganthropia was evident in many of the battles that the Spartans participated in throughout the years. At Plataea, the Spartiate numbered 5,000 men but atMantinea their numbers shrunk to 4,200. It continued to shrunk to 2,500 byCoronea, and byLeuctra there were only 1,500 Spartiate left. The strict qualifications to becoming a full-pledged Spartiate made it difficult for Sparta to replace lost manpower. At Mantinea, the loss of 300 Spartiate was hard-felt, and the nation never fully recovered from the battle.[27]
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