Sparta: Economy
While Athens's economy depended on trade, Sparta's economy relied on farming and on conquests of other people. Although Sparta had fertile soil, there was not enough land to provide food for everyone.
When food ran low, Spartans took the lands they needed from their neighbors, who were then forced to work for Sparta.
Because Spartan men were expected to serve in the army until the age of 60, Sparta had to rely on people who were enslaved and noncitizens to produce the goods it lacked. Conquered villagers became slaves, called helots. The helots were permitted to live in their own villages, but they had to give much of the food they grew to Sparta.
The Spartans also utilized a second group of people — noncitizens who were free called the Perioikoi. Perioikoi might serve in the army when needed, but they could not participate in Sparta's government. They were responsible for making such necessary items as shoes, red cloaks for the soldiers, iron tools like knives and spears, and pottery. They also conducted some trade with other city-states for goods that Sparta could not provide for itself.
Generally, though, Sparta discouraged trade because the Spartans feared that contact with other city-states would lead to new ideas that might weaken the government. Trading with Sparta was already difficult because of its system of money. Rather than using coins, Spartans used heavy iron bars as currency. According to legend, an ancient Spartan leader decided to use this form of money to discourage stealing. Because an iron bar had little value, a thief would have needed to steal a wagonload of bars to make the theft worthwhile. As you might assume, other city-states were not anxious to receive iron as payment for goods.
When food ran low, Spartans took the lands they needed from their neighbors, who were then forced to work for Sparta.
Because Spartan men were expected to serve in the army until the age of 60, Sparta had to rely on people who were enslaved and noncitizens to produce the goods it lacked. Conquered villagers became slaves, called helots. The helots were permitted to live in their own villages, but they had to give much of the food they grew to Sparta.
The Spartans also utilized a second group of people — noncitizens who were free called the Perioikoi. Perioikoi might serve in the army when needed, but they could not participate in Sparta's government. They were responsible for making such necessary items as shoes, red cloaks for the soldiers, iron tools like knives and spears, and pottery. They also conducted some trade with other city-states for goods that Sparta could not provide for itself.
Generally, though, Sparta discouraged trade because the Spartans feared that contact with other city-states would lead to new ideas that might weaken the government. Trading with Sparta was already difficult because of its system of money. Rather than using coins, Spartans used heavy iron bars as currency. According to legend, an ancient Spartan leader decided to use this form of money to discourage stealing. Because an iron bar had little value, a thief would have needed to steal a wagonload of bars to make the theft worthwhile. As you might assume, other city-states were not anxious to receive iron as payment for goods.
fertile (adjective)
Land that is fertile is good for growing plants.
Example Sentence: The farmer planted his seeds in the fertile soil.
conquests (noun)
A conquest is when one group of people takes over another group of people.
Example Sentence: The army made many conquests during the war.
utilized (verb)
To utilize something means to use it for a particular purpose.
Example Sentence: The carpenter utilized his tools to build a house.
discouraged (verb)
To discourage someone means to make them less likely to do something.
Example Sentence: The teacher discouraged the students from cheating on the test.
currency (noun)
Currency is the money that is used in a country.
Example Sentence: The United States dollar is the currency of the United States.
Land that is fertile is good for growing plants.
Example Sentence: The farmer planted his seeds in the fertile soil.
conquests (noun)
A conquest is when one group of people takes over another group of people.
Example Sentence: The army made many conquests during the war.
utilized (verb)
To utilize something means to use it for a particular purpose.
Example Sentence: The carpenter utilized his tools to build a house.
discouraged (verb)
To discourage someone means to make them less likely to do something.
Example Sentence: The teacher discouraged the students from cheating on the test.
currency (noun)
Currency is the money that is used in a country.
Example Sentence: The United States dollar is the currency of the United States.