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Spartan Religion

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Religion in Sparta supported the ideals of a militaristic society. The Spartan ideals of religion caused a change in the military soldiers and establishment of values such as loyalty, courage, skill, endurance and respect for country. The importance of religion was conveyed in different aspects of Sparta such as, the role of the gods, the impact of religion on the army, religious role of kings and religious festivals that were celebrated in Sparta.
The gods were highly regarded and were important to the Spartan soldiers and society. The Spartan military and the gods were linked heavily and were very depending on each other. Gods like Apollo, Artemis, Athena, Discouri and Zeus. The more explicit gods were Apollo and Artemis Orthia which were …show more content…
Everyone had a role in religious festivals even the kings; kings had one of the major roles in Spartan society, they ruled the country and also participated in religious festivals. This is evident Xenophon’s writing as it states “The king first sacrifices while still at home to Zeus the leader and the gods associated with him. If he gets a good omen here, the first-carrier takes fire from the altar and leads the way to the borders of the land. The king sacrifices there too to Zeus and Athena.” This source emphasises the role of kings in major traditions and festivals, and the requirements of kings in religious festivals. It is also useful because it gives an insight in the role of kings in the Spartan period and that all the Spartans had a role in the Spartan society and from every social status. This highlights the roles of kings in religious festivals and the importance of religion in Spartan …show more content…
Festivals were respected heavily and required all the time of Spartan individuals and everyone participated. There were three major festivals that important to the Spartan society. The major festivals were Hyakinthia, Gymnopaedia, and Karneia. All festivals celebrated different causes such as Hyakinthia which celebrated the death of Hyacinthus at Amyclae. Gymnopaedia was the celebration of athletic and martial skills. Karneia was celebrated and honouring of Apollo god of the sun. All Spartans participated in these festivals and every individual had role in these festivals this is evident in Paul Cartledge statement which states “Indeed, the only non-Spartans present at the Hyakinthia — in contrast especially to the Gymnopaedia festival, at which distinguished foreign guests were made welcome, or the Promakheia, at which Perioikoi were given a significant role - were Helots” This conveys the different traditions of the Spartan festivals and who is present in these festivals, all Spartan individuals were present in these festivals except for Gymnopaedia were foreign guests were welcome to attend, or the significant role of Perioikoi in festivals. The importance of religious festivals brought all Spartans together from citizens to helots which was important in Spartan

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