Laconia. They were
even encouraged to steal whatever they could; but if they were caught
in the fact, they were severely punished for their want of dexterity.
Plutarch tells us of a boy, who, having stolen a fox, and hid it under
his garment, chose rather to let it tear out his very bowels than be
detected in the theft.

The literary education of a Spartan youth was of a most restricted
kind. He was taught to despise literature as unworthy of a warrior,
while the study of eloquence and philosophy, which were cultivated at
Athens with such extraordinary success, was regarded at Sparta with
contempt. Long speeches were a Spartan's abhorrence, and he was
trained to express himself with sententious brevity.

A Spartan was not considered to have reached the full age of manhood
till he had completed his thirtieth year. He was then allowed to
marry, to take part in the public assembly, and was eligible to the
offices of the state. But he still continued under the public
discipline, and was not permitted even to reside and take his meals
with his wife. It was not till he had reached his sixtieth year that
he was released from the public discipline and from military service.

The public mess--called SYSSITIA--is said to have been instituted by
Lycurgus to prevent all indulgence of the appetite. Public tables were
provided, at which every male citizen was obliged to take his meals.
Each table accommodated fifteen persons, who formed a separate mess,
into which no new member was admitted, except by the unanimous consent
of the whole company. Each sent monthly to the common stock a
specified quantity of barley-meal, wine, cheese, and figs and a little
money to buy flesh and fish. No distinction of any kind was allowed at
these frugal meals. Meat was only eaten occasionally; and one of the
principal dishes was black broth. Of what it consisted we do not know.
The tyrant Dionysius found it very unpalatable; but, as the cook told
him, the broth was nothing without the seasoning of fatigue and hunger.

The Spartan women in their earlier years were subjected to a course of
training almost as rigorous as that of the men, and contended with each
other in running, wrestling and boxing. At the age of twenty a Spartan
woman usually married, and she was no longer subjected to the public
discipline. Although she enjoyed little of her husband's society, she
was treated by him with deep respect, and was allowed a greater degree
of