Relating to ancient Sparta or characterized by extreme discipline, frugality, and austere living conditions. The term derives from the famously harsh and militaristic culture of the ancient Greek city-state Sparta.
From Latin 'Spartanus' referring to the ancient Greek city-state Sparta (Greek 'Sparte'). The city's name possibly derives from 'sparton' (rope made from broom), but the adjective meaning 'austere' developed from Sparta's reputation for harsh discipline.
Spartan boys were taken from their families at age 7 to begin the agoge, a brutal 13-year military training program that included ritual beatings, survival training, and being given minimal food to encourage stealing (though severe punishment if caught)! This system created history's most feared warriors but also a society so focused on war that it ultimately declined when it couldn't adapt to changing times.
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