Sparta Dbq Analysis

Imagine a world where innocent people were killed, and kids were taught to steal food, and if they got caught they were whipped.Does that sound right to you? Sparta, a city state located on the southern peninsula of Greece called the Peloponnese, was known for their athletics and fighting. After examining all of Sparta’s strengths and weaknesses. I think that the weaknesses outweigh the strengths because of how they had cruelty and harshness, no freedoms, and a basic education.
The first reason why I think that Sparta’s weaknesses outweighed their strengths was because of all the cruelty and harshness. The krypteia, Spartan law enforcement officers, would go out and kill all of the innocent helots.(Doc C) Another reason is how the Spartans would whip the boys for their enjoyment.(Doc D) Document D states,” The boys were lashed with whips during the entire day at the altar of Artemis Orthia,frequently to the point of death, and they bravely endured this, cheerful and proud, vying with one another…..as to which one of them could endure being beaten for the longer time and the greater number of blows.” That was the first reason why I think
I say this because the boys were only taught the rudiments, or basics. The only things that they were taught were reading and writing. Document A states,” Only the rudiments (basics) of reading and writing were taught; instruction consisted for the most part in...obedience, bodily fitness, and courage to conquer in battle.” The Spartans only learned these things for practical reasons, but all of the other forms of education were banned in Sparta. (Doc D) If they learned more than reading and writing they could have become teachers and philosophers, instead of warriors and homekeepers. That is the third and final reason why I think that Sparta’s weaknesses outweighed their