Spartan society: HistoriographyArchaeological sources

Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia

This picture shows the remains of the temple of Artemis Orthia. The temple would not have been used for worship, but would have housed the statue of the goddess. It was rebuilt during the early 6th century, after Spartan military successes.

This picture shows the altar, which was outside the temple. This was where sacrifices would have been made.

Many artefacts related to Sparta were found at the Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia. Some were also found in northwestern Greece and the whole Greek world in general/

Archaeological sources: food and feasting

Water jar, or krater, found near the Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia

Man after feasting. Probably a figurine offering for the gods.

The figure shown here, Aristaios, was a minor god who was believed to have discovered how to make olive oil. He was also thought to have discovered bee-keeping to produce honey.This kylix is one of several different types of cup used in ancient Greece. It

is decorated with a scene of people at a feast.On a table is a mixing bowl, where wine was mixed with water before drinking. On one side of the table stands a boy playing pipes. Musicians were often present at feasts and parties. To the right of the table is a boy with a cup and drinking horn.

Archaeological sources: Women

Probably a statuette offering for the gods, found in north-western Greece. Probably a Spartan female athlete.

Found in Olympia. These oil flasks sometimes contained perfumed oils which were worn by women. Men would also carry oil flasks like these. They would rub oil onto their skin before taking part in sports.

Archaeological sources: mythologyKrater found near Artemis Orthia. Shows a mythical scene involving gorgons.Gorgons, often used to decorate pots, were terrifying monsters from Greek myth, who could turn a person to stone if they looked at them. The snake-haired gorgon Medusa is particularly famous, as she was killed by the hero Perseus, who cut off her head.

The figure shown here, Aristaios, was a minor god who was believed to have discovered how to make olive oil. He was also thought to have discovered bee-keeping to produce honey.

Archaeological sources: Warfare

Mugs like this one are found all over Greece, but they are particularly linked with Sparta. It is thought that soldiers used them on military campaigns, where a sturdy drinking vessel was needed.

Spartan hoplite figurine.

Figurine of a cavalrymanRare, as cavalry play little role in Greek warfare.

Archaeological sources: Craftwork

Sparta was known for the quality of the bronze figurines that its craftsmen produced during the Archaic period. Bronze workers became the leading craftsmen in Sparta during the 6th century, when ivory carving began to decline.

This object is thought to have come from a sanctuary of Zeus in north-western Greece, but was probably made in Sparta.

During the later part of the 7th century, ivory carving reached a very high standard in Sparta. Ivory products were traded across the Greek world to cities like Athens, and also to Greek islands and even north Africa.

Sparta was known for the quality of the bronze figurines that its craftsmen produced. Large bronze figures were also made but these were often melted down in the past and the bronze reused. Bronze working reached its peak in the 6th century.

From about 700 BC, Sparta became increasingly wealthy. As people became wealthier, they could afford to offer the goddess Artemis Orthia objects made from luxury materials, such as ivory. This inspired ivory workers in Sparta to produce increasingly fine ivory carvings. This also shows the increasing wealth of Sparta at this time.

Archaeological sources: Religion 1

These miniature vases were left as offerings to the goddess Artemis Orthia. In Greek religion, people would leave offerings for a god in the hope of ensuring their help with something, or to mark a special occasion. Offerings were also left to thank a god for help they were believed to have given

Experts think miniature masks like these might have been worn by children during special rituals that marked their move from childhood to adulthood. Many of the masks are of two basic types: ugly and furrowed or beautiful and perfect-looking. As well as wearing the masks, the rituals probably involved singing and dancing. Found at the Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia.

This tiny pot was left as an offering to the goddess Artemis Orthia. In Greek religion, people would leave offerings for a god in the hope of ensuring their help with something, or to mark a special occasion. Offerings were also left to thank a god for help they were believed to have given.

Archaeological source: Religion 2

This figurine of a bronze dog was left as an offering to the goddess Artemis Orthia. Artemis was the Greek god of hunting and of the change from childhood to adulthood. Although Athena was the patron goddess of the city of Sparta, the worship of Artemis at the sanctuary of Orthia was of particular importance in Spartan life.

Many of the objects offered to the goddess Artemis Orthia were lead figurines like this figurine of Athena.. These figurines included representations of animals, warriors, winged goddesses and images of Athena. Athena was the patron goddess of the city of Sparta and had her own sanctuary on the Spartan acropolis.

Archaeological source: Daily life

This bronze figurine of a shepherd may represent a Helot or a Perioikos. Spartan citizens owned land, but slaves called Helots did all the agricultural work, including rearing sheep.The Perioikoi were not slaves but did not have the same rights as Spartans. They lived in the villages around Sparta and would also have been involved in agricultural activities

These miniature pots copy the shapes of real Greek vases used in everyday life. The pot shapes help us to identify the use of each type of pot. These examples include a miniature skyphos, or cup, and a miniature two-handled mug.

Problem with literary sources

• Alcman• Tyrtaeus• Archaeological sources

• Plutarch (influential!)• Herodotus• Thucydides• Xenophon• Aristotle

Therefore …Don’t ignore archaeological sources in your responses!