Sp2d Social Structure - Spartiates

SP2d: Social Structure of Sparta – Spartiates

Source 1

Source 2

Lycurgus then noted that the Spartans just like the rest of the Greeks were living at home, and, realising that this was responsible for their taking most things too easily, brought the common messes out into the open, considering that this would reduce disobedience of orders to a minimum. He assigned them a ration of corn, so that they would neither be gorged nor hungry. But they get many additional foods supplied from hunting expeditions; and there are times when the rich also contribute wheaten bread instead; so the table is never bare until they separate and go into their quarters, but neither is it extravagantly supplied. He also puts an end to the compulsory drinking of wine, which undoes both body and mind, and allowed each man to drink when he was thirsty, thinking this would be the least harmful and most pleasurable way of drinking.

The oldest member indicated the doors to each person entering and said:”Not a word goes out through these”. By all accounts anyone desiring to join a mess was vetted in the following way. Each member would take a piece of soft bread in his hand and in silence throw it, like a ballot, into a bowl which a servant carried on his head. Those in favour threw the bread as it was, while those against squeezed it hard with their hand. And should they find even one of these, they do not admit the would-be entrant because it is their wish that all should be happy in each other’s company.

Xenophon, cited in Dillon & Garland, Ancient

Plutarch on Sparta, p21