Spartan
religion is one of the most essential factors that heavily influenced the
majority of Sparta’s actions and existence. Their religion is identified as a
polytheistic religion which is defined as the belief of worshipping many gods
rather than just one god. This military and warrior state worshiped 12 main
gods and goddesses; these consisted of Zeus, Hara, Ares, Apollo, Aphrodite,
Athena, Hermes, Demeter, Artemis, Eros and Hestia. However, there were many
other gods and goddesses that were also worshipped as they were found relevant
to and in the making of Sparta.
Other Greek state often mocked the Spartans due to their heavily religious beliefs and ways of worshipping their gods and goddesses. Each god and goddess served their own purpose and obtained their own monumental power over this mighty warrior state and civilisation. This Polytheistic religion reflected the lifestyles that the Spartans endured in order to maintain their power above and over other states and countries[i].
'The Spartans, though moved by the appeal, and willing to send help to Athens, were unable to send it promptly because they did not wish to break their law. It was the ninth day of the month, and they said they could not take the field until the moon was full.'
Herodotus, The Histories, Book VI,106
Secondary Source: Piece of text Herodotus explaining why Spartans were not willing
to break the law to help Athens.
According to the written secondary source, Herodotus (Legendary Law giver of Sparta) provides historians with an example of the Spartan warrior state’s strong adherence to religion. The Spartans are widely known for their strong connection and obedience towards the gods and goddesses.
Gods and Goddesses of Spartan Religion
Apollo:
According to the source provided, historians are able to visually comprehend how the god of music identified by the Spartans as Apollo looked like[ii]. Statues and sources like these are essential and useful clues in assisting modern day societies to discover further more about the Spartan religion. Each month, slaughtered animals, wine and barley were sacrificed to Apollo. Festivals
associated with worshipping Apollo were called Hyakinthia and Karneia.[iii]
Poseidon:
Poseidon is the god of the sea and a temple was built for him near Cape Taenaron where Heracles entered the underworld.[iv] This source provides us with knowledge regarding the mighty sea god’s appearance. He is represented by his trident, for it is his trident that symbolises him. His temple was located on the coast in Southern Laconia.[v] This mighty god was also associated with Earth quakes. When earth quakes occurred, the Spartans would take them into consideration and use them to influence their actions due to their belief that it was Poseidon communicating with them.[vi]
Athena:
Athena Chakioikos was the goddess defender of towns and cities and also the patron goddess of craft. Her most important shrine is the Bronze House was located in Sparta. The Bronze House was identified as a place of refuge for suppliants. [vii]
"The Lakedaimonians still possess a sanctuary of Athena of the Bronze” - Pausanias, Description of Greece 10. 5. 11
Primary Source: Pausanias discussing the temple of Athena
Demeter
This goddess was the guardian of women and was also associated with the underworld. She is also believed to be the goddess of agriculture and vegetation. In Sparta, one way of worshipping her would be by having four old women sacrificing a cow to her at the festival called Chthonia. She is sometimes illustrated riding a chariot drawn either by dragons or horses or sitting on top of a throne. [viii]
Patron Gods
Unlike Athens, the Spartans had two gods as patrons instead of just one; these two gods were the god Ares and the goddess Artemis. Although they were half-siblings, they did not get along very well. Sparta strived to be as militaristic as Ares, despite the fact that he was not a well strategic man. It is depicted by the stories believed by the Spartans that Ares possessed a golden chariot drawn with four, fire – breathing horses. The mighty god would ride them into battles in order to fight and defeat the enemy. He is symbolised by his bronze armour and spear, including woodpeckers, eagle owls and vultures.
On the other hand, Artemis was the goddess of the moon and the hunt. She was the daughter of Leto and Zeus. Looking at the source provided, Artemis is sculptured with the moon on her head and a bow in her hand ready to hunt.
This source provides modern day historians with details and useful information regarding her appearance and her role as a goddess to the Spartan warriors. The weaponry (bow) and the moon on her head assist us in further developing our knowledge regarding her purpose and the source also supports our ideas by serving its purpose as evidence.
Death and Burial
Spartan warriors were often expected to die in battle in order to gain fame and glory by all other Spartans. These warriors were seen as people to look up to because all Spartans thrived to be like them. The dead were burned and buried in the cemetery and a feast was held in their honour. Only women who died in the process of giving birth and Spartan warriors who died in battle received proper grave stones. They were brave and gave up their lives for something that was more crucial and that was Sparta. When a king was buried, special ceremonies were held in their name, Spartan Religion consisted of ten official days of warning after one’s death.[ix] Religion also influences death and burial as the Spartan state aimed to be like their deities and heroes.
REFERENCES:
[i] http://www.legendsandchronicles.com/ancient-civilizations/ancient-sparta/spartan-religion/ Date ACCESSED: 4/8/2015
[ii] http://www.greekmythology.com/Olympians/Apollo/apollo.html Date ACCESSED: 4/8/2015
[iii] Robert Skinner: HSC Ancient History, 2014
[iv] V. Stevens, W. Merchant, M. Hampson and G. Bradshaw: HSC Ancient History, 2003
[v] Pamela Bradley: The Ancient World Transformed, 2014
[vi] Bran Brennan: Spartan Society - Interpreting the Evidence, 2007
[vii] http://www.theoi.com/Cult/AthenaCult2.html Date ACCESSED: 4/8/2015
[viii] http://www.religionfacts.com/greco-roman/beings/demeter Date ACCESSED: 4/8/2015
[ix] Ancient History: Miriam Estensen, 2002
Other Greek state often mocked the Spartans due to their heavily religious beliefs and ways of worshipping their gods and goddesses. Each god and goddess served their own purpose and obtained their own monumental power over this mighty warrior state and civilisation. This Polytheistic religion reflected the lifestyles that the Spartans endured in order to maintain their power above and over other states and countries[i].
'The Spartans, though moved by the appeal, and willing to send help to Athens, were unable to send it promptly because they did not wish to break their law. It was the ninth day of the month, and they said they could not take the field until the moon was full.'
Herodotus, The Histories, Book VI,106
Secondary Source: Piece of text Herodotus explaining why Spartans were not willing
to break the law to help Athens.
According to the written secondary source, Herodotus (Legendary Law giver of Sparta) provides historians with an example of the Spartan warrior state’s strong adherence to religion. The Spartans are widely known for their strong connection and obedience towards the gods and goddesses.
Gods and Goddesses of Spartan Religion
Apollo:
According to the source provided, historians are able to visually comprehend how the god of music identified by the Spartans as Apollo looked like[ii]. Statues and sources like these are essential and useful clues in assisting modern day societies to discover further more about the Spartan religion. Each month, slaughtered animals, wine and barley were sacrificed to Apollo. Festivals
associated with worshipping Apollo were called Hyakinthia and Karneia.[iii]
Poseidon:
Poseidon is the god of the sea and a temple was built for him near Cape Taenaron where Heracles entered the underworld.[iv] This source provides us with knowledge regarding the mighty sea god’s appearance. He is represented by his trident, for it is his trident that symbolises him. His temple was located on the coast in Southern Laconia.[v] This mighty god was also associated with Earth quakes. When earth quakes occurred, the Spartans would take them into consideration and use them to influence their actions due to their belief that it was Poseidon communicating with them.[vi]
Athena:
Athena Chakioikos was the goddess defender of towns and cities and also the patron goddess of craft. Her most important shrine is the Bronze House was located in Sparta. The Bronze House was identified as a place of refuge for suppliants. [vii]
"The Lakedaimonians still possess a sanctuary of Athena of the Bronze” - Pausanias, Description of Greece 10. 5. 11
Primary Source: Pausanias discussing the temple of Athena
Demeter
This goddess was the guardian of women and was also associated with the underworld. She is also believed to be the goddess of agriculture and vegetation. In Sparta, one way of worshipping her would be by having four old women sacrificing a cow to her at the festival called Chthonia. She is sometimes illustrated riding a chariot drawn either by dragons or horses or sitting on top of a throne. [viii]
Patron Gods
Unlike Athens, the Spartans had two gods as patrons instead of just one; these two gods were the god Ares and the goddess Artemis. Although they were half-siblings, they did not get along very well. Sparta strived to be as militaristic as Ares, despite the fact that he was not a well strategic man. It is depicted by the stories believed by the Spartans that Ares possessed a golden chariot drawn with four, fire – breathing horses. The mighty god would ride them into battles in order to fight and defeat the enemy. He is symbolised by his bronze armour and spear, including woodpeckers, eagle owls and vultures.
On the other hand, Artemis was the goddess of the moon and the hunt. She was the daughter of Leto and Zeus. Looking at the source provided, Artemis is sculptured with the moon on her head and a bow in her hand ready to hunt.
This source provides modern day historians with details and useful information regarding her appearance and her role as a goddess to the Spartan warriors. The weaponry (bow) and the moon on her head assist us in further developing our knowledge regarding her purpose and the source also supports our ideas by serving its purpose as evidence.
Death and Burial
Spartan warriors were often expected to die in battle in order to gain fame and glory by all other Spartans. These warriors were seen as people to look up to because all Spartans thrived to be like them. The dead were burned and buried in the cemetery and a feast was held in their honour. Only women who died in the process of giving birth and Spartan warriors who died in battle received proper grave stones. They were brave and gave up their lives for something that was more crucial and that was Sparta. When a king was buried, special ceremonies were held in their name, Spartan Religion consisted of ten official days of warning after one’s death.[ix] Religion also influences death and burial as the Spartan state aimed to be like their deities and heroes.
REFERENCES:
[i] http://www.legendsandchronicles.com/ancient-civilizations/ancient-sparta/spartan-religion/ Date ACCESSED: 4/8/2015
[ii] http://www.greekmythology.com/Olympians/Apollo/apollo.html Date ACCESSED: 4/8/2015
[iii] Robert Skinner: HSC Ancient History, 2014
[iv] V. Stevens, W. Merchant, M. Hampson and G. Bradshaw: HSC Ancient History, 2003
[v] Pamela Bradley: The Ancient World Transformed, 2014
[vi] Bran Brennan: Spartan Society - Interpreting the Evidence, 2007
[vii] http://www.theoi.com/Cult/AthenaCult2.html Date ACCESSED: 4/8/2015
[viii] http://www.religionfacts.com/greco-roman/beings/demeter Date ACCESSED: 4/8/2015
[ix] Ancient History: Miriam Estensen, 2002