Military+training

Men were expected to serve in the army until the age of 60. Boys left home when they were seven years old. They moved into army barracks and didn't leave there until they were 30. They spent their days marching, exercising, and fighting. They wore light tunics, and no shoes. They slept on hard benches with no blankets. They ate a bowl of coarse black porridge every day, those who weren't satisfiie were encouraged to steal food. Stealing food was thought to produce tough, resourceful soldiers. Spartan girls recieved military training as well. They ran, wrestled, and played sports. They were taught to put service of Sparta above everything, even love of their own family. Spartan woman told their husband's and son's, "come back with your shield or on it." Spartan woman ran the estates while their husband's were away. This surprised other city-states, because most woman had no rights.