Survival of the fittest: A Spartan warrior is born

From birth a Spartan is tested on whether they are fit to be warrior or nothing more than a slave. If they have shown strength through all tests Spartans are sent into the wilderness with nothing but a spear at the age of 12. Those who survive a month are welcomed into the ranks of the Spartan army and aloowed to visit the Krypteia - a school aimed to create the strongest military force in all of Greece. Those who returned early would not gain access to the Krypteia but would lead a mediocre life, and never be let back into their school. Those who survived would be welcomed into adulthood and deemed worthy to serve in the Spartan army and to keep on training.

History

As with many other social tradition the exact origin is not clear. Sparta itself has, it seems, always been known for its tough education of their young children and this has been attributed to be the breeding ground for its overwhelming force in battle.

Execution

At the day of a Spartans twelfth birthday their parents take them outside the city and hand them a spear and bade them goodbye. The child would then have to leave Sparta and its surrounding area and go into the wild, where they had to survive and not be seen. There were phases in Spartan history where this rite was even more gruesome: The child had to kill as many helots - slaves - as they could, while going undetected, but this practice has been left behind.

Components and tools

The participant was allowed to only carry a spear with them.

Observance

On the twelfth birthday of those who were deemed worthy enough to try this rite of passage.

Primary Related Location

Sparta