meager clothing. Much different from the boys in neighboring Athens, they spent little time being educated in music and literature, they learned reading and writing only for basic needs. Instead, they were drilled daily in gymnastics and military exercises. They were taught that retreat and surrender in battle were a disgrace. They learned to endure pain and hardship without complaint and to absolutely obey orders without questioning authority.They were made to feel hunger and were encouraged to supplement their small portions of food by stealing for themselves. This was not done to cultivate dishonesty but to develop artfulness and initiative. If they were caught, they were whipped and beaten for their stupidity. The young girls were also educated in the same fashion as well as made to exercise their bodies in running, wrestling and throwing the discuss or javelin, so when they had children, it was believed if the mother's body was strong, the infant would be strong also, this also was supposed to make the child-labor easier to manage pain.When the boys reached the age of twelve, they no longer had tunics to wear, but instead received one cloak per year. Their bodies were tough and unused to taking baths. They slept, in packs, on beds which they got together on their own, made of rushes that they had obtained in the rivers and broken off with their bare hands. The boys were often matched against each other in violent games with a ball and in all out brawls.The life of a Spartan male was a life of discipline, self-denial, and simplicity. The Spartans did not surround themselves with luxuries, expensive foods, or recreational opportunities. This discipline continued into young adulthood. The discipline that the young adult male experienced was much more intense than even that of the young boy. They were taught to live and to die for their state. As they approached the age of 20, the training grew more militaristic and sev...
