Today I finally reached Sparta during the 4th Century BCE. My first stop was the Temple of Artemis Orthia. This temple was built proudly for Artemis goddess of strength and the younger generation. Here she was worshiped by those from Sparta for protecting the youth. As soon as I entered the temple I smelled the burning of herbs and saw smoke. I heard chanting priests and clashing shields. The smell of the herbs and boys mixed together to create an unforgettable smell. You could feel the love and willingness to fight they had for Sparta. The Sparta youth and elders were performing a ceremony. The ceremony was a test of endurance and pain tolerance. The young Spartan boys are trying to steal cheese from the older boys from a large stone altar while trying to avoid being whipped. The goal was to grab the cheese, but if you were whipped you were to stay strong and courageous and uphold the values of Sparta. While watching I was wincing at the boys getting hurt, however I met some of their mothers in the crowd who were left emotionless not showing an ounce of sympathy or emotion. Then I found out later that day that Sparta mothers raise their children to be brave and loyal above everything else. These boys are raised to be warriors and nothing else from day one. Seeing this ceremony truly made me realize how no matter if boy, man, or woman all must uphold Spartan values and discipline it is not an expectation it’s a requirement. My goal throughout this journey is allow you guys to see how military strength and discipline follow Spartan culture from the battlefield to inside the home. Tomorrow join me as I go visit where the Agoge(Sparta Military) train their youth!
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