Until recently it was believed that there was a golden age of Spartan Culture in the 7 th century that came to an abrupt end with the introduction of a more austere lifestyle. However, the material remains provide evidence for a cultural tradition extending through the 6 th century. This cultural vibrancy underwent a gradual decline throughout the 5 th Centuries. Features of Spartan Culture include art, poetry, music and architecture.
After the Messenia Wars, the Spartans had less time to spend on cultural pursuits. Spartan society became more militaristic and there was little time for activities which did not directly contribute to this aim.
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Architecture: Although little remains of Spartan buildings today there is evidence of a number of distinctive buildings. It is believed that Spartan architecture reached a peak with the rebuilding and decoration in the 6 th century:
Amyclaion (throne of Apollo) which was considered to be the most important temple in
Lacedaemon. This temple housed a huge bronze statue of Apollo surrounded by colonnades and stoas.
Menelaion (Shrine to Helen and Menelaus)
Temple of Artemis Orthia
Temple of Athena Poliouchos
Spartan assembly hall, a massive stoa, built in the mid 6 th century and greatly admired by visitors to Sparta
The Persian Stoa, built after the victory against the Persians in the 5 th
century BC. It was later added to the Spartan Agora.
The chief source for the building remains of Sparta is Pausanius, who visited Sparta in the 2 nd century AD. Pausanias made mention of range of buildings which included tombs, temples, public buildings and monuments.
Art:
Sculpture: A school of sculpture operated in Laconia and Sparta was a major producer of bronzes. In the 6 th
century BC Laconian bronzes were highly valued throughout the
Ancient World, traces of which have been found at Delphi, Olympia and outside mainland Greece. Pausanias records that there was a bronze image of Athena in the temple of Athena of the Bronze House on Sparta’s Acropolis. He also described bronze reliefs with scenes from legend and mythology which decorated the temple.
Bronze figures of Spartan girls dancing and running have also been discovered. Another famous figurine shows a Spartan hoplite wrapped in a full length cloak wearing a full helmet with his long groomed hair.
Hundreds of thousands of religious figurines and decorations have been found at Spartan sanctuaries. A marble bust of a helmeted hoplite, found on the acropolis at Sparta, is said to be of King Leonidas. There are at least 9
Laconian sculptors which are known by name to modern historians.
Sculptures in stone and marble were mostly associated with religion (decorations at shrines and temples of heroes and gods and goddesses. Unfortunately little remains of sculpture in stone because for centuries the site of Sparta was used as a quarry.

C eramics: An original and confident style of ceramics developed and was exported around the Mediterranean. In the last part of the 7 th century it underwent a change
(Laconian 2) and became more ornate. In the middle of the 6 th
century, Laconian 3 pottery appeared featuring human subjects that told a story (mostly mythology). A
Laconian vase known as the Arcesilas Cup was unique since it depicted a contemporary scene.
Ivory Carving: skilled craftsmen throughout Laconia frequently used Ivory and bone.
More ivory carvings including hair combs and animal figurines have been discovered at the sanctuary of Artemis Orthia in Sparta than anywhere else in Greece. One ivory carving depicts Artemis Orthia welcoming soldiers home in a ship.
Vases: Laconian pottery from the 6 th century has been discovered throughout the Greek world and in Italy, France and Egypt. Pottery changed over time from the black and purple decorations to the red and black figures. Pottery decorations often depicted aspects of Spartan life including: hunting, banquets, festivals, fighting and wrestling. Spartan poetry was popular due to its creative subject matter, which features masculine Spartan depictions.
Writing and Literature:
Spartans had little need for sophisticated writing techniques because they society was based around strong oral traditions. Much of its history was recorded in songs, epic poems and its festival traditions.
Spartan poetry and music were closely linked. Groups or singing by choruses intended the work of most poets for recitation. There were songs of praise, battle songs, drinking songs of politics and songs of consolation. Tyrtaeus wrote books to inspire the flagging spirits of the Spartan soldiers during war.
Most of the surviving written sources about Sparta were produced by non-Spartans.
People were exposed to glimpse of the austere society and its unique customs. Much of what we know today about Sparta is speculative due to the fact that Sparta was a highly secretive society which did not value the written language in the same way that other ancient societies did.