military

Men were expected to serve in the army until the age of sixty. Their life was centered on the military. Boys left home at the age of seven, and moved into army baracks. They stayed there until they were thirty. They spent their days marching, exercising, and fighting. They only wore light tunics, not even shoes, and they practiced in every kid of weather, no matter what. Men slept on hard benches, with no blankets. They ate one bowl of black porridge a day, those who weren't satisfied were encouraged to steal food, supposedly this made them stronger, tougher soldiers.

Spartan girls recieved some military training as well. They ran, wrestled, and played sports. Girls were taught to put love of Sparta above all, even family. A legend says that women used to tell their men and sons, "Come back with your shield or on it." Spartan women had freedom, including running the estate while her husband was away at war. Athens thought this very strange, since they expected women to stay out of site and raise the children.