Spartan Gymnasium

[Polynikes]

In ancient Sparta military training was the rule, not the exception. Sparta was an independent---some say the most independent-- city-state in ancient Greece. The citizens of Sparta were great believers in their state. Ancient Spartans placed the state above themselves and the state demanded soldiers to protect it. Those too weak to be soldiers were too week to be Spartans. When a young boy was born to Spartan parents the father would take the child to the council of elders. These old calloused and scarred veterans would look at the naked infant carefully for any birth defects or the slightest sign of weakness or sickness. If they judged the crying baby to be unworthy of carrying a Spartan shield it would be taken immediately to a nearby cliff off Mt. Taygetos and thrown over the edge. If it passed this first of many life tests then the young Spartan boy would be allowed to return to his parent’s home where he lived for six years. Then the agoge or military training would start

When the young Spartan boy reached seven he was deemed too old to be coddled by his parents and was taken from them to live a military life for the rest of his existence. He was placed in a communal barracks with others his age, supervised by an older boy referred to as an Eirena who had respectively been the strongest in his class (and was himself undergoing something like officer training). For the next five years these Spartan boys were conditioned physically and mentally. They were educated- but only enough to count soldiers in a formation read war sagas and sing and recite war poetry. . They were given rigorous strength and endurance training and physical conditioning through endless field and track events. They were taught wrestling and the art of ancient martial combat to make them lethal. They were fed -but it was a weak broth and in quantities only enough to exist. It was expected that the young starving boys would steal or otherwise find enough food to keep them strong. For this they would only be punished if caught and the lesson learned from this was how to look for food when none was available, a skill that would be needed in the future when occupying a village that had been sacked and abandoned. Discipline was the word to live by, with terrific punishments meted out if caught performing the most minor infraction.

At age twelve the lean and hungry boy was taken from the barracks and made to eat, live and sleep in one garment with no shoes under the open sky for one year, exposed to the beasts and the weather. This yearlong exercise taught survival and field craft skills that he would need when deployed fighting abroad. From age thirteen until he reached what was considered manhood at twenty the Spartan child played very serious war games. These games often left the contestants dead or injured and would include armed invasions on Messenian agricultural slaves called helots and other non-Spartans living nearby. These war games taught small unit tactics, raids, reconnaissance and surveillance, and the art of the ambush. When age twenty was reached the Spartan boy was seen as a solder and had thirteen years of the hardest military training yet devised under his belt. For the next ten years he would still live in barracks as part of the standing army and only at age thirty were they allowed to marry and as a full-fledged citizen, reproduce and achieve public office. It was only then that they were granted the privilege to live in their own house and not in barracks. This superbly trained Spartan soldier would still remain in the army no matter where he lived until age sixty when they were allowed to retire.
***





“Those with strength and valour never complain Stelios! Whip him harder!” The voice of Polynikes could be heard on the gymnasium as he encouraged Spartan youths to gain that strength of body and mind a good Spartan soldier always possessed in battle. His eyes shone with his inner fire, as if it could consume him in his own passion for what he thought right.

He walked past the youths watching them train, as they would sweat blood he would show a cold attitude, for the enemy would show no mercy in open combat. They had to be prepared for all that… and much more.

One of the youths, a thin boy of fourteen approximately seemed exhausted as he tried to wrestle with another more corpulent and with much more energy. Polynikes rolled his eyes; he knew him well and walked straight to him. The boy seemed to have lost his breathing and was asphyxiating on the floor. The strong knight placed a hand on the boy’s chest and then one ear. He seemed about to faint. He slapped him on the face to wake him up and then made him stand up saying coldly “Were you amidst a battle, your foes would kill you in no time with no weapon, but your own weak constitution Alexandros!”

Polynikes nodded to some knights so that they would give the boy some water and then, as they did so, Polynikes touched some blood, which was on the floor and then ran his hand on the youth’s face as he then said, “This is all what happens in battle in the blink of an eye. I want to see speed and resolution in you for you are a Spartan and you love your land. Only this will give you strength if you indeed love the freedom of your land.” His voice was less grave now, and without anyone noticing he had pressed Alexandro’s shoulder so he knew that he supported him, for he was a Spartan, even though he did not like him.

The young boy did cough for some time, spiting blood from time to time. He drank some water and tried to compose himself from this respiratory deficiency. He looked at his opponent who was waiting impatiently to bring him down again; he looked as if he made no effort whatsoever.

Alexandros then frowned, if only he could show Polynikes how much he tried and wanted to be like the rest of Spartan youths. But it seemed not all were born to glory themselves in their physical strength and resolution.

When he looked at his opponent again certain anger and will overcame him and he growled before he threw himself against the other youth. For a moment Polynikes was impressed and was about to smile, but he quickly turned to the call of another knight who spoke of a visitor to the gymnasium. It seemed it was a woman, since they could not go inside the temple. Therefore he went over to the knight who had a towel in his hand and took it saying “Thank you Dilos, is it anyone in particular?”

The man smiled and said, “get fully dressed and you will see”.





((OOC:Sources:

=http://ancient-military-history.suite101.com/article.cfm/agoge_spartan_military_training The Genuine Article Online
The Spartans: The World of the Warrior-Heroes of Ancient Greece by Paul Cartledge

A War Like No Other: How the Athenians and Spartans Fought the Peloponnesian War by Victor Hanson))

[Hebe Anemone]

It was a very warm day that even without exercises anyone would sweat. Hebe was standing in front of the temple doors, they were very old and simple but the meaning of entering through this doors caused more impression than all the gold from the world. Many children had passed through this place, trained hard and now were true Spartans, surely any other boy who entered here would feel inspired to work hard and reach the expectations set by their ancestors.

She ran a hand through all her long dark hair, she was a bit tired, women also trained, not only physically but also mentally, it was obvious that they took hold strongly about their believes, wise women were to give birth to strong children. Waiting patiently for Polynikes she stared at some men who had recently entered to the temple, they were ready to take Polynkines place to train while he rested and deal with other matters as important as these.

She wondered what plans Stelios had prepared for him, he had been planning all week and yet he had not revealed what it was so important for him. Lately he was too concentrated on doing what their father had expected...he was forgetting to act sometimes like himself and that bothered Hebe quite a lot. She took a deep breath, the sun was slowly farewelling, why was Polynkiness taking such a long time to come? was he injured?

Hebe had a lot of patience but when she started to doubt about it she could turn out to be the most impatient person and that worried her...she was trying to work that out but still it seemed to take over her. She sat on one of the stairs while she waited, it couldn't take him longer...if it did she would simply leave..

She could not help it but feel tempted to enter, even though women were not allowed she was very curious to know how it looked like. Women had their own gymnasium too...perhaps it was similar? only that they were allowed to come out from it whenever they pleased unlike men, they were to live in the barracks until they reached a certain age and that was one of the reasons that made Hebe feel lucky, she would have never stand living 'caged' until she was 'ready' to go.

She embraced freedom as part of her life, she loved Independence in many aspects, different aspects of her life and just thinking about a cage made her skin get cold. She tied her hair on a pony tale meanwhile, even though the sun was fading away it was getting warmer, the last rays from the sun touched her golden skin as they left soon leaving place for the moon at the sky, a full moon

[Polynikes]

Polynikes was a man of deep reflection always focusing on main targets and making sure everyone did as he expected them to do. But he was a man, like the good Spartan he was, who always knew when to quit. For a man must master pain and fear at slow and constant measures. He nodded to Dilos and then added “There is much to do concerning jogging but I shall fix that very soon. Do let them know I am expecting them to learn those songs and perhaps Alexandros can help on that behalf.”

He then walked to the baths since Spartans were used to being naked in the gymnasium, perhaps one of the reason women were not allowed in, since they were put through pain and resistance, also because in battle they would wear little clothing and had to get used to it.

Polynikes took a relaxing bath, not forgetting someone was waiting for him of course, and then put on some clean clothes along with a red cloak since Nix seemed to approach Sparta and it could get somewhat chilly, not cold obviously… just chilly.

Polynikes tried to dry his hair a bit and then, when he reassured himself he was ready to attend his visitor, he left the gymnasium and started going down the steps of the tall staircase, which lead to the gymnasium.

Once he noticed whom it was he smiled cunningly and then commented ironically and at the same time jokingly “It seems the wildest and most desired of all women can tam herself not to enter a gymnasium.” He approached her and then winked at her as he looked at her, she seemed tired; perhaps she had been training today as well.

He then ran a hand on his long wet hair and added, “So… how can I be of some assistance?”

[Hebe Anemone]

Hearing him speak always made her laugh, his Chicky attitude could never be reveres by a more stable one but then again he would be wasted if he could not act the way he always did, after all being the most desired man by women gave him the right to behave like that but sometimes it was just a little too much to handle for her. She had forgotten why she was there and could not make up a good excuse, she felt silly and embarrassed she but was very good at hiding her embarrassment and improvising.

'Well, Stelios made me come here to tell you that he wants to take care of Alexandro tomorrow, he says that you have been having some problems with his formation and he wants to see what is the reason for that boy to behave differently from the rest of his messmates'

After all, she had not completely lied to him, Stelios had sent her to give him a message but she couldn't remember the real message, in any case she would shortly remember and then add it just like a simple commentary or suggestion if that was the case.

'By the way, just to let you know, I had no intentions on walking in the temple doors', she said ironically too, obviously she was dieing to know how it looked inside and how men trained their boys, not being allowed to enter made her curiosity stronger but had no intentions on breaking the laws, she did not wish to be pushed off a cliff or killed by her own brother, that would definitely mean dishonor to her family and a big desolation for all the hard work her ancestors had ever made and fought to accomplish.

'Are you thinking on competing for the Olympic games this year? you are old enough to if you please?', She stood from where she was sitting and removed some hair from her hair which she had accidentally left untied whilst making her pony tale. She wondered if he was interested on competing and making a bigger name for him. After all one of the prizes were higher ranks in society though he didn't need that for he was a very important spartan and as just remarked, desired by all women.

She released her long hair falling loose on her back gently, the wind blew silently refreshing the night and the moon shone with freedom, the same freedom that Hebe admired, looking at some birds hide in their nest she wondered how beautiful it had to be to fly...

[Polynikes]

Polynikes raised both of his eyelids when Hebe looked at him in a way, as if she found him presumptuous. He simply had removed some hair, but it seems she preferred a less considerate movement. He chuckled inside, she always put him to the test, but so did he put ‘her’ to the test.

He then beckoned her to follow him to the Castle for it was almost dusk and everything was dangerous, though men and women were trained for whatever could come. He then listened to her words and laughed lightly as he thought ‘Wouldn’t we all?’ He then nodded and said, “So it will be, though I think he will waste his time. Alexandros has no cure.”

It was obvious, Polynikes disliked the boy in every aspect, but still he respected him and trained him like any other boy. Perhaps if he were to train with Stelios things would work in the end. For Stelios was a King like no other, he was glad he had lived to see his present glory.

He then nodded to her last inquiry and added “I have already won in some competitions and I think it would bring more glory to Sparta and a better reputation to us all. You do know what everyone thinks of us don’t you?”

He looked at her for a moment with a bitter smile, she knew indeed… Spartans were thought to be cruel, rude and emotionless worse than devils or non-civilized beasts. But surely if they really knew them they would not dare think them so low.

[Hebe Anemone]

'Perhaps if you had more patience with the boy things would work out differently but I can't say anything, I don't know how you train him...', she shared the same preoccupation for that boy as the Queen did, he was special, different from the rest and that perhaps gave the other boys reasons to make fun of him though they weren't allowed to since they had to learn how to mind their own business.

Noticing that he had said he had won some prices before she felt somewhat guilty for not remembering that fact but it was seldom that she forgot some tiny details. 'I know you have, I was just curious, I will compete at the Hereae Games, I am apt to do so, after all it would be my first year.', she sneered at his last question, she knew the concept of the Greeks, the were true ignorants, they barely knew anything about the Spartans or Dorian's and that little they knew was reason enough for them to create their own judgments. Hebe could not stand Athenians even when she tried and that was a problem.

'Indeed, I am well informed about what they think but it is not very important, the true beasts are them who judge without knowledge at all...words are just words and so are rumors, what really counts are the facts recorded on each one's memories because of the acts, acts are the true revelation of the behavior of any culture or person.', she strongly added, just to think about this made her blood pressure increase feeling the need to run and yell, she didn't stand people who criticized others without reasons and that was very often done by Athenians.

She noticed she had lost a bit of composure and apologized quickly, she was not used to talk about this with anyone and obviously needed some practice to control well her emotions, she could not always say what she thought just like that, in the future that attitude could bring problems and they needn't that.

They both walked to the castle, she hoped he would stay with them for dinner, it had been a long time since they had last talked or known about each other and it was nice to see him again.

[Polynikes]

Polynikes laughed with her comment. How could she eventually ask that of him? Had she eventually forgotten about the training codes and rules? But he did not blame her, they were still humans and at times he ‘has’ wondered indeed if he was being rude with Alexandros, or perhaps asking too much from the young Spartan.

But he could not control this passion he had for Sparta and her integrity. If any rumour reached the rest of the world about Spartans being as flexible as flowers, then Sparta’s safety would be null. And he dreamed with Sparta’s eternity, if only she could linger with time and change. If she could stay immune to mankind and history and always welcome her children with open arms, always welcome her grandeur and enlighten the hearts of all Spartans.

He sighed and said “Why trouble yourself with etiquette Hebe? There is no peer nor great Lord in front of you, it is normal to have passionate breakdowns when not allowed when being watched.” He looked right through her, always was she truthful to him, to those she loved and esteemed and yet few things could be done to make those you love happy. One makes oneself happy.

“Like the Athenian philosopher, Socrates, says ‘thou must know thyself.’”

They kept on walking and for a strange reason he remembered he had a day off tomorrow so perhaps he could go and dine in the Palace if he was welcomed, for he never wished to intrude into anyone else’s life, especially Stelios’ who had so little time for his wife. His hair seemed to be getting dry with the cool breeze as they walked being guided by candles in the dusky streets of Sparta.

[Hebe Anemone]

She felt he could read her mind every time he looked at her and that scared her just a little, was she too obvious all the time? or did he have the ability to read her thoughts?She wondered why he had not mentioned anything about her competing on the female games, perhaps he had not heard what she had said...it was natural, he had to be tired too, training so hard as he did and also training others had to be a very hard job.

'You are welcome to stay tonight if you please', she said looking at him, perhaps she had not been prudent but she wanted him to stay, somehow he brought peace to her and she knew that Stelios would be very happy to see him again, after all not knowing anything about him since lunch had to be hard. She smiled to herself at this thought. 'I see you have done sometime on reading too, it is very good', she laughed, he had mentioned one of her favorite philosophers, Socrates, the best thing was that Socrates was an Atheniense...how contraditorial...

They walked almost reaching the castle that could be seen not far from where they were, it was so beautiful, it looked like a painting...'It is so beautiful, isn't it? depicted in front of our eyes, nature is something no one can compete with. It follows its course naturally, the castle would not look the same without that sky to decorate it or the trees that deck its loneliness. Sometimes I wish I could be part of the trees or be the wind to embrace its freedom, there is nothing that attaches it....but then again I am glad and honored to be a spartan.'

She did not wish to sound childish and so she stopped to talk about her thoughts aloud. She didn't want him to think of her as a crazy young lady. She was very mature though she didn't like to be presumptuous about it, she preferred simplicity though she was complex

[Polynikes]

Polynikes sighed. It did not mean he did not enjoy the company; he was simply tired, he had even forgotten her talking about sports games and such. He shook his head; he still had to fight against fatigue since it was not good to complain when in the middle of a battle.

It seemed as if it had been her turn to hear his mind. He laughed silently and then bowed his head as she offered him to dine with them that night as he added “Only if possible, I would not like to intrude Stelios on his day off.” If there was someone Polynikes admired that was Stelios. He loved his wife so much yet he always complied with his responsibilities and personal life. He smiled; he was glad there was happiness in Stelios’ life and that he stood in the throne as Lord of Sparta.

“I do not see why a man could not read apart from being rigorously trained…” he said to her remarks and then added “…one must always be more than willing to learn from one’s enemy. Even though I personally do not consider any Greek my enemy.” He finished with a sort of thoughtful voice as if he had realized about what he had just said. And the truly thought it to be true. He could never consider any brother an enemy; therefore Greece was mainly an ally to him.

He laughed once more as she stopped when she was talking about nature and then said, “One of the reasons we all are Greeks is because we can admire beauty, what could be more beautiful than our own lands?” He winked at her though, of course, this could not be spoken about during training or in front of a superior.

[Hebe Anemone]

'I am very sure that Stelios will certainly appreciate your company, visitors at palace are very well welcomed, not that we see you as one', but this she meant that they thought of him as part of the family, they had known him for many years now and had owned that title. His ancestors had always helped the crown at moments of pressure and military fatigue.
She wondered if her thoughts and ideals weren't to selfish, Polynikes was so different, he was grateful for other races of men and also thankful for the differences that existed in one same race, one same family. Hebe didn't hate the Athenians literally, she disliked some aspects of their behavior, she could never hate...

After some minutes they reached the entrance door of the castle, it was illuminated with some torch's, it looked magical. Before they entered they waited to be received and while they did, Hebe stared at the view before her, water falling from the fountain made soft sounds, they created their own music with the help of some birds. She felt so lucky of belonging to Sparta, it was nice to feel part of a place, a place that forms part of your same blood. She had been taught as the rest of them to love relentlessly their country and brothers...not many understood their culture nor society but she was glad to be one of them.

She knocked the door once again pretending not to loose her patiences, what could be taking them so long to open the doors? On one hand she wanted to enter, she was getting a bit hungry and was somewhat tired but on the other hand she liked Polynikes company, he was very wise for his age, most of the Spartans his age were less peacefully morally, their soul was continuously fighting to the acceptance of their duties, but Polynikes seemed to have already assimilated such fact and that made Hebe feel like a child by his side.

She had always wondered how would it feel to fight side by side though she knew that it was practically impossible...only in her dreams and thoughts would that ever happen

'I don't know why it is taking them so long...', she said a bit nervous, staring and waiting she saw one of the windows opened, even though it shouldn't be done and she knew that if they were caught they would be punished in some way she could not wait more. 'Wait here', she said as she walked toward the window and 'jumped' inside. Once she was inside she looked around, no one seemed to have noticed what she had just done and so she sighted in great relief. She pushed the doors open for Polynikes to enter.

(I pmed Stelios and made a post for the dinner. 'The Great Salon', so post your reply there)

[Stelios]

****************************************************

After a cold night in the Agoge the sun broke free, its glamorous ray's stroke beneath the mighty hills and horizons that overlooked ahead the mighty lands of Greece, in concrete, Sparta.

Stelios walked with his chin titled, not because of pride, because he had owned respect of his seniors, of the Ageles and the Eirenas. Stelios desired for them to embrace discipline, to be selfless willing to die for their country and to also strive for more than mere physically challenge. The challenge was bigger than just that, it also applied for mental conditionings that not all could handle nor take, the training could be so demanding that many times some would even die whilst being tested, not all were strong enough to reach the end even when they had survived the previous surviving tests.

Stelios entered to the gymnasium as he reached the baths and took of his cloths revealing a strong body which had endured much pain and with time had strengthen also in soul, it made it seem stronger which he was indeed.

He took a deep breath, it was time to start the exhausting doom for many and the future glory for others, Spartans were very severe on what citizens were meant to be but that was the result of such homogenate civilization, all civilians trusted with each other, they were transparent at the eyes of other races, they were unique, different and irreplaceable.

He walked to the main training barracks, everything was ready as most of the Ageles waited for their respective mentors, Stelios awaited patiently for one of his most loyal Eirenas, he waited for Polynikes who certainly was on his way for he never let Stelios wait for him.

His eyes scanned each aspirant, many boys who showed fear in their eyes and other's whose strenght gleamed. Stelios could remember when he had been a boy and how he had felt leaving his mother's 'protective womb', everything had been so different ever since, learning how to survive by all means doing everything he had never though of doing..life took many turns and it was tome for him to 'torture' others, to bring strong citizens, worthy of receiving such title, the right to be called 'Spartans'

He watched curiously how some kids conversed with each other but as soon as their mentors arrived they left to do their duties but one of those children seemed different, his eyes glowed with love, a love deeper than any other he had ever seen, alone he waited, the wind blew coolly as the boy's hair danced with its pace. He stared at Stelios, he showed no fear but sadness, whilst the rest of the kids learned how to jump, throw discus, that boy remained silent. Stelios sighted, that probably was Alexandros, the boy he would be training with Polynikes, that child ,who despited war and love literature, the boy many spoke off as to be the anti-spartan but perhaps they all misunderstood what he truly wanted to transmit to others.

Stelios walked to where the boy was and kneeling on one leg his eyes did not leave his stare, he tried to tell the boy by just looking at him that he knew how he felt but at the same time leaving clear that he would not tolerate any whining or crying for men were to cry what they could defend as men but never cry for something they had not gained nor tried.

''You must take of your cloths to start whilst Polynikes arrives, hurry up for I haven't got all day, you should now this already"