Page:History of Greece Vol II.djvu/399

 SPARTAN WOMEN. 333 gods, which contributed to impart to them methodized and har- monious movements. Hunting in the woods and mountains of Laconia was encouraged, as a means of inuring them to fatigue and privation. The nourishment supplied to the youthful Spar- tans was purposely kept insufficient, but they were allowed to make up the deficiency not only by hunting, but even by stealing whatever they could lay hands upon, provided they could do so without being detected in the fact ; in which latter case they were severely chastised. 1 In reference simply to bodily results, 3 the training at Sparta was excellent, combining strength and agility with universal aptitude and endurance, and steering clear of that mistake by which Thebes and other cities impaired the effect of their gymnastics, the attempt to create an athletic habit, suited for the games, but suited for nothing else. Of all the attributes of this remarkable community, there is none more difficult to make out clearly than the condition and character of the Spartan women. Aristotle asserts that, in his time, they were imperious and unruly, without being really so brave and useful in moments of danger as other Grecian females ; 3 that they possessed great influence over the men, and even ex- ercised much ascendency over the course of public affairs ; and 1 Xenophon, Anab. iv. 6, 14 ; and De Repub. Lac. c. 2, 6 ; Isokrates, Or. xii. (Panath.) p. 27". It is these licensed expeditions for thieving, I pre- sume, to which Isokrates alludes, when he speaks of rtjf Traidav avrovofiias at Sparta, which, in its natural sense, would be the reverse of the tru>h (p. 277). s Aristot Polit. viii. 3. 3, the remark is curious, vvv filv ovv ai fia^tcra doKOvaai TUV XOAFUV sTri/zeTiela&ai ruv iraiduv ai plv a-&^,r]TiK.j]v iv i/nnot- ovai, fapufievai rii r' d6rj K.a.1 TTJV aii^rjaiv TUV au/j.a.Tuv ol 6e A.aKuvff ravTTjv [J.EV ovx ij^aprov ryv ufiapriav, etc. Compare the remark in Plato, Protagor. p. 342. 3 Aristot. Polit. ii. 6, 5 ; Plutarch, Agcsilans, c. 31 . Aristotle alludes to the conduct of the Spartan women on the occasion of the invasion of Laco- nia by the Thebans, as an evidence of his opinion respecting their want of courage. His judgment in this respect seems hard upon them, and he prob- ably had formed to himself exaggerated notions of what their courage undci finch circumstances ought to have been, as the result of their peculiar train ing. We may add that their violent demonstrations on that trying occasion may well have arisen quite as much from the agony of wou-ided honor n from fear, when we consider what an event 'he appearance of a conquering army in Sparta was.