The Economy
Land Ownership
-
LYCURGUS: in his reforms he convinced the Spartans to pool their land together divide it into
allotments and then distribute these among Spartan citizens and perioki
Agriculture
- VERY IMPORTANT: as most other Greek states the agricultural industry was the most important
for Spartan society
- SPARTANS + HELOTS: the land had to be sufficient to sustain the helots who worked on it and
to provide produce for the Spartinate’s family
- SYSSITION: the produce from the land was also important for the male Spartan’s contribution
to the mess  if they could not contribute they would lose citizenship
Kleroi
- KLEROI: these were the allotments of land being the Spartan’s citizens state
- PRIVATE LAND: aristocratic or rich Spartiates held private lands in addition to their kleroi  this
caused some inequality
Helots
- WORK ON KELROS: the kleroi were managed by the Spartans however all the work was
performed by the Helot families
Technology
-
PERIOKOI: this group was mainly responsible for the industry and trade in Sparta
Weapons & Armour
- ARMOUR: these were usually made from metals and other materials:




-
Bronze Helmet: usually crowned with horsehair crest to make the hoplite appear taller and more intimidating
Breastplate: worn over a linen tunic  bronze breastplates were sculptured to resemble chest muscles
Hoplon: I metre in diameter was made of wood covered with a sheet of bronze on the outside
Greaves: made of bronze covered the lower leg like metal shin guards
WEAPONS: these were usually made from metals and other
materials:


Wooden Spear: between 2.5-3 metres long with a bronze spear point
Short Sword: or iron or bronze was carried but seldom used  last
resort
Bronze Making
- IRON ORE + IMPORTED COPPER + TIN: there were good supplies of iron ore in
Laconia, but copper and tin may have been imported to mix with the iron to
make bronze
- 6th CENTURY: archaeological evidence shows that high quality bronze work was
being produced and exported from Laconia throughout the 6th century
- TECHNIQUES: there were two main techniques used in bronze working:


-
Sheets: casting of molten alloy into a mould and then beating it out into thin sheeting with a
hammer
Indirect Casting: by the 5th century the new technique was developed in which clay was
used to produce a negative, thus making possible the mass production of cast objects
SCULPTURES/FIGURINES/STATUES: many objects were made out of bronze
including smaller figurines and larger statues and sculptures e.g. a bronze
statue of Zeus on a bronze base about 5.5 metres tall built by Telestas
Pottery
- LOCAL CLAY: there were plentiful supplies of local clay, but little is known
about how Laconian pottery was made or who made it
- FAMOUS POTTERY  ‘laconian III’: the most famous pottery is known as Laconian III dated
back to c.575BC and “was primarily interested in human subjects and telling a story. The
figures are painted in black on a creamy yellow slip, with the detail elaborately drawn by
incision, and lavish use of purple gives an effect of colour” (Fitzharidage)
- ATTIC RED FIGGRUEWARE: the laconian potters eventually copied the Attic red figure ware
- SMALL FIGURINES: small figurines, mould made reliefs or baked clay (terracottas) have also
been found at most religious sites
Economic Roles of the Periokoi (‘dwellers around’) and helots
-
DEPENDENT: the Spartan economy, geared to enabling Spartinates to maintain military
preparedness, was dependent on the vital roles played by the perioikoi and helots
Periokoi (dwellers around)
- PROFESSIONALS/MERCHANTS/INDUSTRIES: were professionals, merchants, trade and crafts
workers of Spartan society  they monopolised all trades, businesses and professions




-
Miners/metal workers: through these metals they developed weapons and armour
Manufactures: all goods such as furniture, armour and weapons
Fishermen: the fishermen, shipwrights and naval personnel at Gytheum were perioki
Clothing: shoes purple garments and other objects of wood and iron
CURRENCY: they could use gold and silver currency
Helots
- GOVERNMENT PROPERTY: were the property of the Spartan
government, attached to state owned land (kleroi)  they were
controlled by Spartinates however not owned
- FARMING: the main economic role they played was in the food
production and farming:


-
Military Activities: this freed Spartans from needing to work the land  allowing them to focus on military
activities and training
Sysstion: also allowed them to contribute to the mess each month
HELOT WOMEN DOMESTICS: Helot women did the spinning and weaving and there domestic
activities which freed Spartan women to follow their privileged lifestyle
Economic Exchange: Use of iron bars, trade
Iron Bars
- IRON BARS: the Spartan state did not sue metal coins for currency but instead used iron bars
which may have symbolised a transaction rather than acting as cash  could not be used
elsewhere in Greece
- REASONS WHY: there are a number of reasons Lycurgus may have introduced this including:




-
SKPETICAL (iron bars): scholars generally agree that the idea Sparta banned gold and silver
coinage is a myth:

-
Reduce Theft: because it would be harder to steal an iron bar unnoticed
Restricted Hoarding: to restrict the possible hoarding of money
Reduced Conspicuous Consumption: as it restricted the inability to trade with other Greek states
Reduced Trade (other Greek states): reducing their potential influence on Sparta
Hellenic Currency: it has been suggested that Spartans must have always used some Hellenic currency rather
than the iron splits because they needed to pay for mercenaries and send embassies abroad
MINT 3RD CENTURY: the Spartans did not build mint coins until 3rd century
Trade
- PERIOKOI: Spartan trade was carried out mainly by the periokoi and was conducted through its
port Gytheum 46km from Sparta on the Laconium coast
- CENTRAL TRADING POINT: later on it became a central trading point after initially being visited
by Syrian and Phoenician traders
- MAIN EXPORTS: were wool, wine, oil, pottery and bronzes