pected to live on the produce of his lot, which he could not alienate except by free gift. None was
allowed to own gold or silver, and the money was made of iron. Spartan simplicity became
proverbial.
The position of women in Sparta was peculiar. They were not secluded, like respectable women
elsewhere in Greece. Girls went through the same physical training as was given to boys; what is
more remarkable, boys and girls did their gymnastics together, all being naked. It was desired (I
quote Plutarch Lycurgus in North's translation):
that the maidens should harden their bodies with exercise of running, wrestling, throw the bar, and
casting the dart, to the end that the fruit wherewith they might be afterwards conceived, taking
nourishment of a strong and lusty body, should shoot out and spread the better: and that they by
gathering strength thus by exercises, should more easily away with the pains of child bearing....
And though the maidens did show themselves thus naked openly, yet was there no dishonesty seen
nor offered, but all this sport was full of play and toys, without any youthful part or wantonness.
Men who would not marry were made "infamous by law," and compelled, even in the coldest
weather, to walk up and down naked outside the place where the young people were doing their
exercises and dances.
Women were not allowed to exhibit any emotion not profitable to the State. They might display
contempt for a coward, and would be praised if he were their son; but they might not show grief if
their new-born child was condemned to death as a weakling, or if their sons were killed in battle.
They were considered, by other Greeks, exceptionally chaste; at the same time, a childless married
woman would raise no objection if the state ordered her to find out whether some other man
would be more successful than her husband in begetting citizens. Children were encouraged by
legislation. According to Aristotle, the father of three sons was exempt from military service, and
the father of four from all the burdens of the state.
The constitution of Sparta was complicated. There were two kings, belonging to two different
families, and succeeding by heredity. One or other of the kings commanded army in time of war,
but in time of peace their powers were limited. At communal feasts they