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¶ … institute such strict military controls?
Sparta's militarism and commitment to maintaining a standing army was no accident. "Sparta seems to have developed gradually as a practical response to unusual circumstances," ("History of Sparta," n.d.). "The evolution of the Spartan army began during the heroic Mycenaean age (1600 BCE to 1100 BCE), a time in Greek history when tactics were simple and warriors sought individual glory (and fought out of formation)," ("The Spartan Military," 2010). Moreover, the Dorians staged frequent invasions into the area. Sparta needed to protect its borders. By the 8th century B.C.E., Spartan leaders realized the value of a standing army and implemented one in the interests of what can be called national security. Later, Spartan militarism would threaten Athenian dominance. Sparta found itself in the situation of needing to institute strict military controls as a matter of self-preservation.
One reason why Sparta instituted strict military controls was that they could; it was a matter of convenience and...
The Peloponnesian state already had at its disposal a fairly large and healthy labor force. But by invading neighboring regions, the Spartans were able to expand its population and create an army built partly on slave labor. The acquisition of slaves led to a self-perpetuating cycle of militarism. The slaves, or helots, eventually organized rebellions strong enough to prompt the transformation of Sparta into a police state and military superpower. Sparta developed a powerful militaristic society but created with it "the permanent danger that the helots will rise in revolt against their military masters. On several occasions they do so. The constant threat prevents this rigid society from relaxing or developing," ("History of Sparta," n.d.). Thus, Sparta needed to institute strict military controls as a matter of domestic security and foreign policy.
Encounters with Messenians seriously sparked Sparta's burgeoning militarism. The Messenians, a Mycenaean-speaking Greek people, encroached upon the Peloponnesian peninsula. Sparta emerged…
References
Gill, N.H. (n.d.). Sparta: A Military State. Retrieved online: http://ancienthistory.about.com/cs/sparta/a/spartamilitstat.htm
"History of Sparta," (n.d.). History World. Retrieved online: http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ac44
Sekunda, N. (1998). The Spartan Army. Osprey.
"The Spartan Military," (2010). Ancient Military.com. Retrieved online: http://www.ancientmilitary.com/spartan-military.htm
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