Pros and Cons of Spartan Culture

1st- A positive aspect of the Spartan Code was the idea to train their young beginning at a young age, by giving power to the state to control the youth. This allowed many of the children to have an equal opportunity in the situation given although they did not have many options. They could all be taught the same concepts, and this would create more unity among the people which was very important, although the method by which they took action upon this was somewhat controversial.

2nd- A very beneficial act to society was the idea of teaching lessons by experience and hands on activities. An example is the action of showing their soldiers that drinking was something that should be compelled, by showing what it can do to a person. Although demonstrating this to the soldiers caused a few Helots humiliation it was generally beneficial to the society as a whole because it allowed people to learn actions not by force but by correspondence.

3rd- The strong regard for the human appearance was also very impressive on behalf of the Spartans. They would support women being athletic in many areas, to keep fit and strong, which would allow them to ‘bear strong children.’ The high regard for human hygiene vindicated the idea of a respected elderly class. The Spartans unlike many cultures considered the elderly a very wise group of people, and this was supported by the way that they would force their men to join the army, and work out, and have their women stay fit for exercises.

4th- One of the ways that law was maintained was by teaching a lesson by the wrong doings of another’s actions. An example would be the public nude march that violators of the would have to go through on occasion. It taught both the people who did wrong their lesson along with preventing others from making the same mistakes, which showed that their punishment for crimes was very efficient.

5th- A benefit of having a system where the military would take control of the lives of men would be the guarantee of food and lodging for the ‘citizens’ of the country. This is something which would benefit the people again in the sense of good hygiene and would also create a strong healthy people for the purposes that the government had intended.