Battle of Thermopylae and Athenian Education
PDEF 121
HISTORY AND CONTEMPORARY DEVELOPMENT IN EDCATION
ASSIGNMENT:
Compare and contrast the system of education in ancient Sparta and Athens and point out the relevance of these experiences to the modern theory and practice in education.
INTODUCTION:
(A) SPARTAN EDUCATION:
When a boy child was born, the city-state of Sparta gave him a piece of land thus making him a full citizen of Sparta. The father had the right to raise him and teach him the basics until the age of 7. The boy would then be educated communally, centrally under state-controlled supervision. The boy would call a military training camp his home until he turns 30. He then could sleep at his own house, with his wife and children.
The boys were trained hard, learning to speak wisely using only a few words learning to eat just enough to survive,
Throughout their adolescent and teenage years, Spartan boys were required to become proficient in all manner of military activities. They were taught boxing, swimming, wrestling, javelin-throwing, and discus-throwing. They were trained to harden themselves to the elements. At the age of 18, Spartan boys had to go out into the world and steal their food. Getting caught would result in harsh punishment, including flogging, which was usually a practice reserved only for slaves. The concept was that a soldier must learn stealth and cunning.
At age 20, Spartan men had to pass a series of demanding tests of physical prowess and leadership abilities. Those that passed became members of the Spartan military, and lived in barracks with the other soldiers. They were allowed to take a wife, but they weren't allowed to live with her. At age 30, they became full citizens of Sparta, provided they had served honorably.
The Spartan boy, learned only the basics, according to Plutarch, such as music and mathematics. Their principal training is a military one,
(B) ATHENIAN EDUCATION:
Ancient Athens was the bright intellectual, educational and cultural centre
HISTORY AND CONTEMPORARY DEVELOPMENT IN EDCATION
ASSIGNMENT:
Compare and contrast the system of education in ancient Sparta and Athens and point out the relevance of these experiences to the modern theory and practice in education.
INTODUCTION:
(A) SPARTAN EDUCATION:
When a boy child was born, the city-state of Sparta gave him a piece of land thus making him a full citizen of Sparta. The father had the right to raise him and teach him the basics until the age of 7. The boy would then be educated communally, centrally under state-controlled supervision. The boy would call a military training camp his home until he turns 30. He then could sleep at his own house, with his wife and children.
The boys were trained hard, learning to speak wisely using only a few words learning to eat just enough to survive,
Throughout their adolescent and teenage years, Spartan boys were required to become proficient in all manner of military activities. They were taught boxing, swimming, wrestling, javelin-throwing, and discus-throwing. They were trained to harden themselves to the elements. At the age of 18, Spartan boys had to go out into the world and steal their food. Getting caught would result in harsh punishment, including flogging, which was usually a practice reserved only for slaves. The concept was that a soldier must learn stealth and cunning.
At age 20, Spartan men had to pass a series of demanding tests of physical prowess and leadership abilities. Those that passed became members of the Spartan military, and lived in barracks with the other soldiers. They were allowed to take a wife, but they weren't allowed to live with her. At age 30, they became full citizens of Sparta, provided they had served honorably.
The Spartan boy, learned only the basics, according to Plutarch, such as music and mathematics. Their principal training is a military one,
(B) ATHENIAN EDUCATION:
Ancient Athens was the bright intellectual, educational and cultural centre