SPARTAN SOCIETY TO THE BATTLE OF LEUCTRA 371 BC
ESSAY QUESTIONS
2015:
a) Name two festivals in Spartan society. (2 marks)
b) What was the significance of the ‘inferiors’ in Spartan society? (4 marks)
c) Describe the main feature of the agoge. (4 marks)
d) What does evidence reveal about the roles of the king in Spartan society? In your answer, use Source R (portrait bust of Spartan warrior once linked to Leonidas), other sources, and your own knowledge. (15 marks)
2014:
a) Identify two examples of technology in this period. (2 marks)
b) What was the role of the gerousia? (4 marks)
c) Outline the significance of the poetry of Alcman. (4 marks)
d) What does evidence reveal about the role and status of women in this period? In your answer, use Source X (), other sources, and your own knowledge. (15 marks)
2013:
a) What is known about leisure activities in this period? (3 marks)
b) What was the purpose of the Karneia? (3 marks)
c) Why were two kings an important part of Spartan government in this period? (4 marks)
d) With reference to Source X (quote from Pausanias) and other sources, what does the evidence reveal about economic activity in this period?(15 marks)
2012:
a) What was the eporate? (1 mark)
b) What does the writing of Tyrtaeus indicate about society in this period? (4 marks)
c) Describe how land ownership was organized in Sparta. (5 marks)
d) With reference to Source X (picture of the Temple of Orthia at Sparta) and other sources, what does the evidence reveal about gods and festivals in this period?(15 marks)
2011:
a) What was the Great Rhetra? (2 marks)
b) Outline the main features of the syssitia. (3 marks)
c) Describe the role of ekklesia. (5 marks)
d) With reference to Source X (excerpt from Xenophon’s Constitution of the Spartans) and other sources, what does the evidence reveal about people’s lives in this period?(15 marks)
2010:
a) Who were the perioikoi? (2 marks)
b) Describe the role of the krypteia. (5 marks)
c) How was Sparta governed? (8 marks)
d) With reference to Source P (picture of lead figurines from Sparta) and other sources, what does the evidence reveal about Spartan religious practices?(10 marks)
2009:
a) What was the agoge? (3 marks)
b) Outline the role of the gerousia in this period. (4 marks)
c) Describe the main features of the Spartan economy in this period. (6 marks)
d) With reference to Source X (picture of a statue identified as Leonidas) and other sources, explain the role of the kings in Spartan society. (12 marks)
2008:
a) Name two natural resources of Sparta. (2 marks)
b) Who were the helots? (3 marks)
c) Describe the roles and status of women in Spartan society. (8 marks)
d) With reference to Source X (excerpt from Xenophon’s Constitution of the Lacedaemonians) and other sources, explain the significance of Lycurgus’ reforms to Spartan society. (12 marks)
2007:
a) Name two ancient authors who wrote about Sparta. (2 marks)
b) What was the syssitia? (3 marks)
c) With reference to Source X (statue of Apollo found in Laconia) and other sources, describe the main features of Spartan religious festivals. (8 marks)
d) Explain the importance of the army in Spartan society. (12 marks)
2006:
a) Name two gods/goddesses worshipped in Sparta. (2 marks)
b) Who was Lycurgus (2 marks)
c) Describe the role of the agoge in the education of Spartan boys. (5 marks)
d) Outline the main roles of the Spartan kings. (6 marks)
e) With reference to Source X (carving of a Spartan woman involved in a religious rite) and other sources, explain the significance of women in Spartan society. (10 marks)
2005:
a) Name two Spartan kings. (2 marks)
b) Identify two geographical features of ancient Sparta. (2 marks)
c) Outline the role of the Krypteia in Spartan society. (5 marks)
d) Describe the main features of Spartan cultural life. (6 marks)
e) With reference to Source X (excerpt from Tyrtaeus’s book The Helots) and other evidence,explain the organization of Spartan society.(10 marks)
2004:
a) (2 marks)
b) (2 marks)
c) (5 marks)
d) (6 marks)
e) With reference to Source X () and other evidence, (10 marks)