Cultral Life in Ancient Greece
With reference to sources, what does the evidence reveal about Spartan cultural life?
There were many different aspects to the Spartan cultural life which ancient sources and evidence have provided insight and knowledge for our modern societies. These features include art, architecture, writing and literature, and Greek writer’s views of Sparta. The Spartan cultural life also gives us knowledge into other aspects of Spartan life and the society in which they lived.
Architecture was one of the essential parts of the Spartan cultural life. The main sites for Spartan architecture were Amyklaios, the Menelaion and the sanctuary of Artimis Orthia. The sanctuary of Apollo Amyklaios, five kilometres south of Sparta was populated from prehistoric times. It was until the roman period was the second most important political and religious centre of Sparta. One of the most important Spartan festivals, the Hyakinthia which took place at the Amyklaion, It symbolizes the political reconciliation of Doric Sparta (Apollo) with the Achaian population of Amyklai (Hyakinthos). It was first excavated by archaeologist Chr.tsountas, in 1890. The Menelaion was a shrine to Helen and Menelaos, the legendary figures of the Trojan War. It was located 5 kilometres out of Sparta, on top of a hill. The remain of an early Mycenaean palace have been found only a few meters from the site, There is also evidence leading to believe that it was destroyed by earthquakes and fire at least twice during the bronze age. At the site of the shrine there has been Votive offerings found to Helen and Menelaos, they date back to the late eight century. When Pausanius himself visited Greece, the Menelaion was in ruins. The Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia is located along the bank of the Eurotas River on the outskirts of Sparta. It had a temple and an altar. Finds from the sanctuary of Artemis Orthia have been used by historians to disprove the traditional picture of Spartan austerity before the late sixth century
There were many different aspects to the Spartan cultural life which ancient sources and evidence have provided insight and knowledge for our modern societies. These features include art, architecture, writing and literature, and Greek writer’s views of Sparta. The Spartan cultural life also gives us knowledge into other aspects of Spartan life and the society in which they lived.
Architecture was one of the essential parts of the Spartan cultural life. The main sites for Spartan architecture were Amyklaios, the Menelaion and the sanctuary of Artimis Orthia. The sanctuary of Apollo Amyklaios, five kilometres south of Sparta was populated from prehistoric times. It was until the roman period was the second most important political and religious centre of Sparta. One of the most important Spartan festivals, the Hyakinthia which took place at the Amyklaion, It symbolizes the political reconciliation of Doric Sparta (Apollo) with the Achaian population of Amyklai (Hyakinthos). It was first excavated by archaeologist Chr.tsountas, in 1890. The Menelaion was a shrine to Helen and Menelaos, the legendary figures of the Trojan War. It was located 5 kilometres out of Sparta, on top of a hill. The remain of an early Mycenaean palace have been found only a few meters from the site, There is also evidence leading to believe that it was destroyed by earthquakes and fire at least twice during the bronze age. At the site of the shrine there has been Votive offerings found to Helen and Menelaos, they date back to the late eight century. When Pausanius himself visited Greece, the Menelaion was in ruins. The Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia is located along the bank of the Eurotas River on the outskirts of Sparta. It had a temple and an altar. Finds from the sanctuary of Artemis Orthia have been used by historians to disprove the traditional picture of Spartan austerity before the late sixth century