1. The Geographical Setting
1.1 The geographical setting, natural features and resources of ancient Sparta
- Spartans were part of Greek tribe, Dorians. Tribesmen moved into Laconia in southern Peloponnese and founded villages on west bank of Eurotas River. By 800BC these 4 villages united to one city – Sparta
- Pausanias wrote that King Teleclus in 8th cent conquered Amyclae (5th village) and incorporated into Sparta
- As alternative to colonisation like other Greek cities, conquered neighbours to gain more land
- Stood on western side of Eurotas River at head of fertile plain 5km wide and 14km long, in an area in Southern Peloponnese known as Laconia.
- Soil of plain fertile and well watered. Dry and poorer land surround plains. Rough mountains cut Sparta off from eastern sea access limiting sea trade
- To north: spur of Arcadian mountains approached town
- To east: high limestone Parnon Ranges dropped to river in line of red hills
- To south: plain cut by low ridge dividing valley of Sparta from southern extension. Eurotas flowed through narrow gorge and over series of low falls to plain of Helos
- To west: rocky crags of Taygetus Range
- Combined, these acted as natural barrier and isolated Sparta from rest of Greece
- Sparta cut off from neighbours by tangled mass of scarcely populated mountains
- Gorges & peaks of Mt Taygetus thickly forested and home to many wild animals à
Spartan favourite hunting ground
- No road across Taygetus and few tracks impassable in winter since range often covered with snow. During summer cool breezes from Taygetus’ slops brought relief from heat in Sparta
- Streams flowing from Taygetus and perennial springs at base gave valley oasis like appearance with abundant water, olive groves and fruit trees.
Features of Eurotas Valley
- Geological fault line ran through valley causing periodic earthquakes in area
- River flowed between high banks overgrown with reeds and in winter often became raging torrent
- Eurotas plain provided fertile soil for agriculture and pastoral activities
- In south, river flowed through narrow gorge and over series of falls for 40km. River not navigable to port of Gytheum, although
port provided Sparta with direct contact with settlements in eastern Mediterranean
- Eurotas provided important route to other parts of Peloponnese. By following river to its source in central Peloponnese, Spartans could link up with 2 other river systems: the Alpheus led to Olympia and the Pamissos flowed down into fertile plain of Messenia
- Valley dominated by Mt Taygetus. Gorges and peaks thickly forested and home to many wild animals. Spartans favorite hunting ground.
Resources.
- Rich agricultural lands produced
- Barely, wheat, olives, grapes and figs
- Cattle, horses, goats, sheep and pigs (meat, milk, cheese, wool and hides)
- Mountain forests of Taygetus provided timber and animals such as wild boar
- Coastline produced mollusc from which purple/red dye made
- Iron mined and Strabo refers to quarries of marble and limestone
- Shellfish and Fish from Gytheion (main harbour). Shellfish provided dye for textile industry
- Pausanias wrote that King Teleclus in 8th cent conquered Amyclae (5th village) and incorporated into Sparta
- As alternative to colonisation like other Greek cities, conquered neighbours to gain more land
- Stood on western side of Eurotas River at head of fertile plain 5km wide and 14km long, in an area in Southern Peloponnese known as Laconia.
- Soil of plain fertile and well watered. Dry and poorer land surround plains. Rough mountains cut Sparta off from eastern sea access limiting sea trade
- To north: spur of Arcadian mountains approached town
- To east: high limestone Parnon Ranges dropped to river in line of red hills
- To south: plain cut by low ridge dividing valley of Sparta from southern extension. Eurotas flowed through narrow gorge and over series of low falls to plain of Helos
- To west: rocky crags of Taygetus Range
- Combined, these acted as natural barrier and isolated Sparta from rest of Greece
- Sparta cut off from neighbours by tangled mass of scarcely populated mountains
- Gorges & peaks of Mt Taygetus thickly forested and home to many wild animals à
Spartan favourite hunting ground
- No road across Taygetus and few tracks impassable in winter since range often covered with snow. During summer cool breezes from Taygetus’ slops brought relief from heat in Sparta
- Streams flowing from Taygetus and perennial springs at base gave valley oasis like appearance with abundant water, olive groves and fruit trees.
Features of Eurotas Valley
- Geological fault line ran through valley causing periodic earthquakes in area
- River flowed between high banks overgrown with reeds and in winter often became raging torrent
- Eurotas plain provided fertile soil for agriculture and pastoral activities
- In south, river flowed through narrow gorge and over series of falls for 40km. River not navigable to port of Gytheum, although
port provided Sparta with direct contact with settlements in eastern Mediterranean
- Eurotas provided important route to other parts of Peloponnese. By following river to its source in central Peloponnese, Spartans could link up with 2 other river systems: the Alpheus led to Olympia and the Pamissos flowed down into fertile plain of Messenia
- Valley dominated by Mt Taygetus. Gorges and peaks thickly forested and home to many wild animals. Spartans favorite hunting ground.
Resources.
- Rich agricultural lands produced
- Barely, wheat, olives, grapes and figs
- Cattle, horses, goats, sheep and pigs (meat, milk, cheese, wool and hides)
- Mountain forests of Taygetus provided timber and animals such as wild boar
- Coastline produced mollusc from which purple/red dye made
- Iron mined and Strabo refers to quarries of marble and limestone
- Shellfish and Fish from Gytheion (main harbour). Shellfish provided dye for textile industry
1.2 Significant Sites: Sparta
1. State why settlement in Sparta would be considered favourable
The vital element of the choice of settlement was the supply of fresh water from the river Eurotas.
2. Outline what significant event occurred around the 9th century BC
The four komai (villages): Limnai, Pitana, Kyonosoura and Mesoa all joined together to make one polis (city state)
3. Describe where Sparta was situated
Sparta is in the south of Greece in a valley surrounded by rugged hills and terrain in Lakonia.
4. Define the term ‘akropolis’
Raised city
5. Explain why Sparta was not surrounded by a wall for most of its history
The mountains that surrounded it were enough to fortify the city as no army would attempt to cross it to make battle with the Spartans as the mountains were too tiresome to climb over and then fight an army
6. Define the term ‘agora’ and explain its use
Market place for trade and social life
7. According to ancient written sources, how significant is the site of Sparta?
Thucydides, writing in the 5th century BC, suggests Sparta was such an insignificant place that in future times there would be no ruins to remind people it had ever existed
Pausanias, writing in the 2nd century AD, writes that Sparta and the area of Lakonia had many fine temples and monuments that would last lifetimes
The vital element of the choice of settlement was the supply of fresh water from the river Eurotas.
2. Outline what significant event occurred around the 9th century BC
The four komai (villages): Limnai, Pitana, Kyonosoura and Mesoa all joined together to make one polis (city state)
3. Describe where Sparta was situated
Sparta is in the south of Greece in a valley surrounded by rugged hills and terrain in Lakonia.
4. Define the term ‘akropolis’
Raised city
5. Explain why Sparta was not surrounded by a wall for most of its history
The mountains that surrounded it were enough to fortify the city as no army would attempt to cross it to make battle with the Spartans as the mountains were too tiresome to climb over and then fight an army
6. Define the term ‘agora’ and explain its use
Market place for trade and social life
7. According to ancient written sources, how significant is the site of Sparta?
Thucydides, writing in the 5th century BC, suggests Sparta was such an insignificant place that in future times there would be no ruins to remind people it had ever existed
Pausanias, writing in the 2nd century AD, writes that Sparta and the area of Lakonia had many fine temples and monuments that would last lifetimes