“What is that you’re hiding beneath your cloak, boy?”
“Nothing, lord.”
A Spartan boy hiding a fox from his elders
At age seven, Spartan boys were taken from their families and enrolled in the Agoge, “the Upbringing.” They remained in this training regimen until they were eighteen when they officially became adults and warriors.
They stayed in the army till age sixty. Many served even longer.
The ancient Spartans were so secretive about their training that, even today with all the research and all the scholarship that has been done, we only know the sketchiest outlines of what the actual training consisted of.
Here’s what we do know:
The boys were fed starvation rations. This was done to make them grow lean and tall. But it also served the purpose of keeping the boys hungry at all times.
They were encouraged to steal. The idea was that in war a man might need to forage in order to survive. If the boy got caught, he was beaten severely. The crime under the laws of Lycurgus was not stealing. The crime was getting caught.
There was a foot race that the boys ran in the agoge. We don’t know its length, except that it was barefoot and cross-country. At the start, the boys took a mouthful of water. At the finish they were required to deliver the water, to spit it out, untouched. If you swallowed the water, you were disqualified.
Boys in the agoge were given one coarse-cloth cloak that they wore all year. They slept outdoors, often on the porches of the public buildings, guarding them. Their beds were of reeds, which they were required to pluck each evening, by hand, from the Eurotas River.
The boys raced, they fought each other, they competed in games. And they trained militarily, in the use of the shield, the spear, and the short xiphos sword. They drilled. They learned to march and hold formation, a critical skill in phalanx warfare.
Any boy could be stopped and interrogated on any subject at any time by a grown citizen. The youth must stand with his hands beneath his cloak, eyes downcast. His answers must be as brief as possible. If he was caught in a lie, he was beaten.
There are many stories in the ancient texts of Spartan boys who endured whippings, without crying out or making a sound, to the point of death.
Here’s a related story from Plutarch:
A Spartan boy had stolen a fox. He had the animal hidden under his cloak when two of his elders stopped him. They had no idea the boy was hiding the animal. ( By the way, I have no clue why a boy would steal a fox or what he intended to do with it.) The men began putting questions to the boy as grown citizens would typically do … about honor, virtue, etc. Meanwhile, the fox began gnawing at the boy’s belly. The boy said nothing. The men kept interrogating him. The fox kept biting and gnawing. The boy showed no pain, till he fell and died, having bled out beneath his cloak.
The boy was embodying the supreme Spartan virtue: contempt for death.
Like other great warrior cultures, Spartan society bred its young men to be prepared (and indeed grateful and honored) for the chance to give their lives for their country.
It is said that on the morning when the Three Hundred were chosen for the certain-death defense of the pass at Thermopylae, many at Sparta went about, downcast, and in despair. Who were these? They were the warriors who had NOT be chosen.
Let’s talk a minute about our contemporary “Spartans.”
There are many, many, many of them. All elite military units, male and female: Navy SEALs, Army Rangers, Recon Marines, Special Forces … in civilian life, police and first responders, paramedics, SWAT teams. I’d include nurses and doctors, teachers. How about fitness? Athletes and extreme sports enthusiasts, marathoners, ultra-runners, CrossFit, Spartan Racers, Tough Mudders, on and on.
Why do these men and women do it? (I count myself among this group, by the way.) Why, when the ease and convenience of modern life would let them sleep in each morning, lie on the couch watching TV, lead the easy life … why do they reject this and choose the opposite?
I think it’s something deeper than “fitness” or “service.”
I think it’s something more profound, more innate, even more spiritual. Remember that, unlike the ancient Spartans (who had no choice) these contemporary men and women enter this world of extreme commitment 1) VOLUNTARILY, and 2) AS INDIVIDUALS.
Again, on a completely different basis than the ancient Spartans id.
For our contemporary Spartans, the arduous life is a deliberate choice, made person by person, for private and sometimes unknowable reasons, even to the individual herself or himself. Why?
I think that this choice consciously or unconsciously, is a rejection of the easy modern life and I think it is made ON A MORAL BASIS. I think many people come to it after some kind of life-crash.
I have a friend from boot camp many years ago who was a big-time Hollywood producer. If I told you a couple of his hits you would recognize them. At the peak of his career, his life fell apart. Divorce. Failure. He lost everything. He was camping on friends’ couches, one inch away from the real abyss.
He turned it around.
Later, I asked him how.
He said, “Steve, I went back to the Marine Corps. I went back to Parris Island.” He didn’t mean literally. What he meant was he re-embraced the hard life.
He starting getting up at four in the morning. He ran. He swam. He created a disciplined plan of the day and he followed it. It wasn’t easy. It took him almost two years. But he got back to work and he turned catastrophe into success.
His new life wasn’t like his old one. It was harder. It was leaner.
But it put his feet on the ground again. It saved him.
We could put what he did another way:
He went back to Sparta.
He went back to the agoge.
I think that’s what our contemporary “Spartans” are doing and they think they’re doing it because modern life, as it is sold to us on TV and the internet, is a bust. It doesn’t work. The easy life sucks.
So we go back to some form of the Warrior Archetype.
That’s what this series is about.
We’ll dig into this more deeply in the coming weeks.
Damn. Thank you!
Perhaps it’s how individuality is molded into an awesome team?
I was raised with the idea that ‘a day without a challenge is a wasted day.’ by parents who were both WW2 USMC vets, and went out of my way to seek the most difficult challenges I could find. Anyone could run cross country; we were state champs. Marathons? Ran 12, and any fat slob might finish; my goal was sub-3 hours. But to accomplish that, I needed to train with runners better than myself; every day I ran myself sick trying to catch the fast guys, and by my senior year, was the 2nd best 880 guy in the County – but only # 6 on my own team. Did I care? Not at all; if I pushed an opposing runner back a few spots, we’d win as a team – and if chasing my talented teammates pulled me to another PR, that was a win-win.
While this was NJ in the 1960’s and not 380 BC Sparta, it’s how being part of a team made me a better individual, or at least more stubborn than most. While I still run, what I remember of our training sessions were some miserable 10 miles runs in snow, rain, sleet,which turned into some awesome workouts – as we all suffered together, someone would invariably say ‘screw you guys; catch me’, and off we’d go. Good times that I think both yesterdays Spartans and today’s Marines would enjoy with us!
Thanks Steve. I have tracked your trajectory and I am currently living it and this is a GREAT Thing!
And in this journey of the simple life of the Warrior I recognize it is the only path toward conquering the resistance within.
Steve,
“I think it’s a moral choice. It’s a life choice.”
No truer words said. We do hard to remind ourselves that we’re capable of doing hard. Like Andrew Lubin stated above, it is running your a$$ off in training with your buddies. We don’t know who we truly are, or what we are truly capable of becoming until we’ve bent our heads into significant difficulty.
bsn
https://www.justhunters.pk/#
Hello Dear Steve,
I’m loving these episodes for the same reason I very much enjoyed your book The War of Art for it being inspiring and useful. Thank you. Irene
I just joined the forum so there are so many things I don’t know yet, I hope to have the help of the boards, and I really want to get to know you all on the forum
The education is necessary because through this you become an expert and get acknowledge about different important aspects. Education software will help children and elders to teach themselves reading, writing and arithmetic skills. https://www.testsmate.com/cka-tests.html provides authentic IT Certification exams preparation material guaranteed to make you pass in the first attempt.
Thanks for post!
The day before yesterday, the teacher gave us homework: write an essay about medical people in our area. I immediately went online to read business articles and watch various videos, but to no avail. Luckily, I came across a pregnancy essay examples I found free copies of essays (really free) and calmly used them in my own, just replacing a few words. It turned out great, the teacher was pleased and gave the highest grade.
SimpleTense 500+英语母语导师为你提供最专业的英文代写服务，包括美国论文代写、加拿大论文代写、澳洲essay代写、英国Paper代写、论文修改润色、论文改写降重、申请文书代写以及各个学科assignment作业代写。https://www.simpletense.com/blog/北美essay代写-b-以下全额退款/
Thanks for post!
When it comes to writing an essay, there are many things that need to be taken care of. The students need to make sure that they understand the topic perfectly and then they have to ensure that they have all the information related to that topic.
LunwenHelp is a company that provides academic services for international students. Since its establishment, it has been serving international students, continuously improving its business level, and helping international students successfully complete their studies.
Hello
sassa is also helping students by education grants you may check the details at https://sassastatuscheck350.co.za/
Gomo SIM is the essential gateway to unlocking a world of seamless communication and connectivity. As the first step towards joining the Gomo network, our registration process ensures that you stay connected with friends, family, and the digital world at large. With Gomo, you’re not just getting a Gomo SIM registration; you’re gaining access to a reliable and innovative telecommunications experience. Join us today and stay connected like never before!
Experience luxury fashion with Mohagni’s best-quality luxury Pret dresses, now available on our website. Each dress is crafted with the finest fabrics and attention to detail, ensuring that you’ll look and feel best. Buy your favorite dress online today!
Step into style with our collection of shoes for women. Our selection features a variety of classic designs that are perfect for the office, special occasions, and everyday wear. Shop now for the best quality materials and comfortable fits.
Protect your skin from harmful UV rays with the best sunscreen in Pakistan. Chahyay offers a high-quality sunscreen product that provide ultimate protection and hydration for all skin types. Stay safe under the sun and maintain healthy, glowing skin with our top-notch sunscreen creams.
Check out beautiful silk suit design at JAMNii. Our collection features stunning silk dress designs and silk suit designs that are perfect for any occasion. Elevate your style with the elegance of raw silk and indulge in the luxury of our carefully crafted pieces. Order Now for the best Silk Dresses from Jamnii
Great post! I really enjoyed the insights you shared, especially the part about [todays petrol price in pakistan]. It’s refreshing to see such well-researched and thought-provoking content. Looking forward to reading more from you!
Thanks for the information.
Thanks for the
This is a really good site. I really like this beth grosshans husband. Thank you for sharing this wonderful information.
Learn more about services and how to get started.
Very interesting information keep it up
Always keep track of your Bond Result using this reliable source. See if you’ve hit the jackpot, and never miss an update on your prize bonds again. Stay informed and maximize your chances of winning!
thanks for the information.
Stay updated with the latestPetrol Prices in Pakistan, available daily for users. This information helps manage fuel expenses and ensures you are always aware of the current rates with Pricenews.pk.
Prepare for the VMware 2V0-21.23 exam with comprehensive study materials and practice tests. This certification validates your expertise in VMware vSphere 8.0, showcasing your ability to manage and optimize virtual environments. https://www.dumpsmate.com/2V0-21-23-exam.html Achieve success with our expertly crafted resources, designed to help you pass the exam with confidence.
Atlas Copco has long been recognized as a leader in the air compressor industry, providing innovative solutions that meet the needs of various industrial sectors. Known for their high-quality products, Atlas Copco air compressors https://www.aircompressoragent.com/ stand out due to their energy efficiency, durability, and low maintenance requirements, making them the preferred choice for companies seeking reliable and cost-effective air compression solutions.
To learn more about the Deepsea D-Blue be sure to check out our introducing post Satelliten Cloud Nodes here as well as rolex .Also if you need more Masters-related watch content to fill your evening Talking Watches With Jack Nicklaus is A+.
Looking for high-quality 平面设计 (graphic design) and custom 商標設計 (logo design) that reflects your brand’s personality? I offer creative, modern, and professional design solutions tailored to your business. From unique logos to full brand visuals, I bring your ideas to life with eye-catching and strategic designs. Let’s elevate your brand with stunning graphics that leave a lasting impression.
Geometry Dash is more than just a side game—it’s a well-crafted, standalone experience. It combines precise gameplay, reactive controls, and energetic music in a way that creates an adrenaline-pumping challenge. It’s difficult but fair, and success feels incredibly rewarding.
Gomo, a vibrant mobile service, offers gomo reg 30GB of 5G data with no expiry for just P299. Enjoy free SIM delivery and flexible, high-speed connectivity tailored for modern, on-the-go lifestyles.
We are a professional institution focusing on after-school education for primary and secondary school students in Hong Kong, and are committed to providing students with a variety of on-campus after-school services. Since its establishment, we have actively cooperated with the needs of schools and provided a series of high-quality after-school interest classes to help students develop their interests and potential in their extracurricular time. Our services include after-school tutoring classes to help students consolidate their learning and improve their academic performance. At the same time, we also offer a variety of interest classes covering Chinese culture, handicrafts, magic,手工藝品 and other fields, allowing students to discover and cultivate their interests in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.