The Archaic Age

The Archaic Age

700-480 BCE. A time of instigation and change throughout Greece.

Sparta

Located in the region of Laconia in the southeastern part of the Peloponnesus. Known for its militaristic culture, social structure, and powerful role in Greek History.

Eunomia

Good order

Lykourgos of Sparta

Spartan lawgiver.

The Spartan Mirage

An over simplified idealization of Spartan culture (too extreme)

Messenia

Land conquered by the Spartans after the first war.

Spartiates

Full citizens of Sparta.

Helots

Messenians who became enslaved people tied to the land of Messenia

Agoge

Spartan educational training system

Syssitia

Dining halls where Spartan men were required to eat together.

The Great Rhetra

A set of laws and principles attributed to Lykourgos. Recorded details of the Spartan government.

Metropolis

A large city.

Oikist

Founder of a colony

Megara Hyblaia

A colony of the city state, Megara. Founded by Lamis, an Oikist.

Oracle of Delphi

Religious institution

Theogony

Poems about the birth of gods

Pythia

A priestess for the oracle

Perioikoi

Lakedaimonians from the area around Sparta, but were not full-citizens and did not have rights.