The Importance of Spartan Military Training
Why did Spartans institute rigorous military training?
A. To expand territory through conquest quickly
B. To increase trade in weapons and armor
C. To protect Spartans from slave revolts
D. To avoid paying for a standing military
Answer:
Final answer:
The Spartan military training was mainly instituted to protect Spartans from possible slave revolts by the Helots, a class of slaves that far outnumbered them.
Explanation:
By examining the historical background of Sparta, we can confidently assert that one of the most important early reasons for Spartan military training was C. To protect Spartans from slave revolts.
Sparta was a city-state in ancient Greece known for its unique social system and military discipline. The Spartan society depended heavily on slave labor, especially a class of slaves known as Helots. The Helots greatly outnumbered the Spartan citizens, creating a potential threat of a mass revolt. This posed a significant safety concern for the Spartans. To maintain their rule and to prevent possible uprisings by Helots, Spartans developed rigorous military training programs for their citizens, starting at a young age.