Sparta11

=Sparta Society to the Battle of Leuctra, 371 BC =

- Syllabus Content -  Map - Past Questions -

The geographical setting, natural features and resources of ancient Sparta
See text: p.3 The geographical setting of Sparta: river valley and mountain barriers; p.5 Resources

(a) Name TWO natural resources of Sparta. (2 marks)
 * Past HSC question - 2008**:

(a) Many candidates named two natural resources of Sparta. However, some students were unsure what a natural resource was and wanted to include processed articles such as pottery and olive oil. Others mentioned items of a general nature such as crops and mountains.
 * Examiners' comment**:


 * Where is Sparta situated?
 * Describe the main geographical features of the area.
 * What resources were available in this area?


 * Where is Sparta situated?**
 * Situated in Laconia (Lacedaemon) in the Peloponnese
 * On the Eurotas R.
 * Small fertile plain – 14km long
 * Port 46 km away at Gytheon


 * Describe the main geographical features of the area.**
 * Surrounded by mountains – natural barrier for defence. No city wall until 2nd C. BC. Mt. Taygetus to the west (2,407m), Mt. Parnon to the east (1839m), Arcadian mountains to the north.
 * Mountains provided plentiful water after melting of winter snows on surrounding mountains.
 * Rich alluvial flood plain, very fertile.
 * Harsh winters, long hot summers


 * What resources were available in this area?**
 * Limestone and marble from mountains.
 * Wood from forests.
 * Crops: barley most common grain.
 * Olives, orchards, grapes – five wine growing districts.
 * Sheep and goats – cheese from goat’s milk. Wool from sheep.
 * Bees – honey.
 * Pigs for meat.
 * Leather from hides.
 * Hunted wild animals, eg boars.
 * Bred horses.
 * Fish and seafood from port at Gytheon
 * Murex mollusc – purple-red murex dye – to colour their soldiers’ cloaks.