The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1877-12-14
THE SP4RTANS.
THE MOST STRANGELY GOVERNED OF
THE ANCIENT PEOPLE.


Among the Spartans one kind OF
theft was encouraged, and even au-
thorized by the law, and by the con-
sent of the citizens; and this was
their stealing herbs or roots from the
gardens and public baths but II they
were caught in the act, they were pun
ished for want of deXterity. TheNae-
sign of the Spartan legislator, IN al
lowing this practice, was to inspire the
Spartan youths, who were designed
for war, with a view to self-defence.
and to extent of dominion wit, bold
IS, subtlety, and address to nure
them betimes to the life of soldier /;
to teach them to live upon little,
and to be able to shift for themselves.
Corpulency incurred public con-
tempt, and sometimes Punishment.
Magnifcen. sepulchres were forbidden;
nor was the plainest, or most modes t
inscription permitted, except for such
as was slain in battle, or for women
VINO had devoted themselves to q re-
ligious life Tears, signs, ana out
cries were not permitted IN pubic,
because they iishonOred Spartans,
who ought to beal all things with
equanimity Graves were allowed in
the city, and they buried close to the
temples, that all people might be IA
milIar with death, and not conceive 1T
as thing dreadful in itself, or that
dead bodies defed the living.
Celibacy was regarded in men as in
famous, and punished by various
tokens of contempt. If a man did not
marry when at full age, he was liable
to an action; as those also were who
m rried above or below themselves.
Such as had three children had certain
iumunties, and those who had four
were free from all taxes. Virgins
were married without portions and
husbands were allowed to beat their
wives. The men of Sparta were dis
tinguished for their virtue, but the
Spartan women for their boldness.
Lycurgus would not allow all sorts of
persons to travel, lest they should
bring home foreign name and return
injected with the licentiOuS customs Of
other countries.
A soldier was the only reputable
profession in Sparta; a mechanic or
husbandman was looked upon with
contempt. A soldier was never to fly
or to turn his back upon his enemies,
however superior in number or to
quit his post or to deliver up his
arms in word, either to conquer or
die. A Spartan mother, hearing that
her son was killed in battle (fighting
for his country, answered cOldly
IL brought him into world for no
other purpose"
After forty years service, a man
was by law no longer required to 90
into the field; and consequently, if
the military age was thirty years (for
this was the period, it is supposed, at
which they entered into the service of
their country, the Spal tans were not
held invalids till shey were seventy.
A pretty period Of life for soldier to
retire from the arduous career of a
warrior, and to receive his half pay
Drunkenness was considered infam-
Gus among them, and punished and
that young men might conceive the
greater adherence of this species of
debauchery, the slaves were compelled
to drink to excess, that the beastliuess
of the vice might appear When they
retired from the public meals, they
were not allowed any torches or lights,
because it was expected that men who
were perfectly sober should be able to
find their way in the dark besides,
this practice gave them a facility of
marching without light, quality very
useful to them in time of war.
AS to dress, there was no disiinc-
tion between the rich and poor.
Their garments were made for use
and not for show; ard they were
taught betimes to distinguish them
selves by their virtues, rather .han by
their robes. Boys we've always used
to go without shoes nor were thew
permitted to cut or trim their hair.
Bankers were not allowed, and interest
was also forbidden in the Spartan
commonwealth.
A writer has observed with respect
to Lycurgus, "That this legislator or
dained that the magistrates should not
be appointed by lot, but elected by
suffrages. He deprived riches of the
influence and respect annexed to them
and divested even love of jealousy"
1t has likewise been observed, "That
the main design of Lycurgus, in the
establishment of his laws, and especi-
ally of that which prohibited the use
of gold and silver, was to curb and re-
strain the ambition of his citizens, to
disable them from making conquests,
and in a manner TO force them to con-
fine themselves within the narrow
bounds of their own country"