Ancient Spartan Public Education

According to Xenophons Polity of Lacedaemon and Hellenica and Plutarchs Lycurgus in Sparta, a child deemed worth raising was given to their mother to be cared for until the age of 7. During the day, though, the child accompanied the father to the syssitia (dining clubs) to sit on the floor picking up Spartan customs by osmosis. Lycurgus instituted the practice of appointing a state officer, the paidonomos, to put children in school, supervise, and punish. Children were barefoot to encourage them to move swiftly, and they were encouraged to learn to withstand the elements by having only one outfit. Children were never satiated with food or fed fancy dishes. Schooling of 7-Year-Old Boys At the age of 7, the paidonomos organized the boys into divisions of about 60 each called ilae. These were groups of peers of the same age. Most of their time was spent in this company. The ilae were under the supervision of an eiren (iren) aged about 20, at whose house the ilae ate. If the boys wanted more food, they went on hunts or raids. So seriously did the Lacedaemonian children go about their stealing, that a youth, having stolen a young fox and hid it under his coat, suffered it to tear out his very bowels with its teeth and claws, and died upon the place, rather than let it be seen.(Plutarch, Life of Lycurgus) After dinner, the boys sang songs of war, history, and morality or the eiren quizzes them, training their memory, logic, and ability to speak laconically. It is not clear whether they learned to read. The Iren, or under-master, used to stay a little with them after supper, and one of them he bade to sing a song, to another he put a question which required an advised and deliberate answer; for example, Who was the best man in the city? What he thought of such an action of such a man? They used them thus early to pass a right judgment upon persons and things, and to inform themselves of the abilities or defects of their countrymen. If they had not an answer ready to the question Who was a good or who an ill-reputed citizen, they were looked upon as of a dull and careless disposition, and to have little or no sense of virtue and honor; besides this, they were to give a good reason for what they said, and in as few words and as comprehensive as might be; he that failed of this, or answered not to the purpose, had his thumb bit by his master. Sometimes the Iren did this in the presence of the old men and magistrates, that they might see whether he punished them justly and in due measur e or not; and when he did amiss, they would not reprove him before the boys, but, when they were gone, he was called to an account and underwent correction, if he had run far into either of the extremes of indulgence or severity.(Plutarch, Life of Lycurgus) Foster Sons in Attendance Not only were the schools for the sons of the Spartiate, but also foster sons. Xenophon, for instance, sent his two sons to Sparta for their education. Such students were called trophimoi. Even the sons of helots and perioikoi could be admitted, as syntrophoi or mothakes, but only if a Spartiate adopted them and paid their dues. If these did exceptionally well, they might later be enfranchised as Spartiates. Guilt may have been a factor because the helots and perioikoi often took in the children that the Spartiates had rejected at birth as unworthy of rearing. Physical Training The boys played ball games, rode horses, and swam. They slept on reeds and suffered floggings—silently, or they suffered again. Spartans studied dance as a kind of gymnastic training for war dances and wrestling. This practice was so significant that Sparta was known as a dancing place from Homeric times. From Agoge to Syssitia and Krypteia At 16 the young men leave the agoge and join the syssitia, although they continue training so they can join the youth who become members of the Krypteia (Cryptia). Hitherto I, for my part, see no sign of injustice or want of equity in the laws of Lycurgus, though some who admit them to be well contrived to make good soldiers, pronounce them defective in point of justice. The Cryptia, perhaps (if it were one of Lycurguss ordinances, as Aristotle says it was), Gave both him and Plato, too, this opinion alike of the lawgiver and his government. By this ordinance, the magistrates dispatched privately some of the ablest of the young men into the country, from time to time, armed only with their daggers, and taking a little necessary provision with them; in the daytime, they hid themselves in out-of-the-way places, and there lay close, but, in the night, issued out into the highways, and killed all the Helots they could light upon; sometimes they set upon them by day, as they were at work in the fields, and murdered them. As, also, Thucydides, in his history of the Peloponnesian war, tells us, that a good number of them, after being singled out for t heir bravery by the Spartans, garlanded, as enfranchised persons, and led about to all the temples in token of honors, shortly after disappeared all of a sudden, being about the number of two thousand; and no man either then or since could give an account how they came by their deaths. And Aristotle, in particular, adds, that the ephori, so soon as they were entered into their office, used to declare war against them, that they might be massacred without a breach of religion.(Plutarch, Life of Lycurgus) Resources and Further Reading Cartledge, Paul. â€Å"Literacy in the Spartan Oligarchy.† Journal of Hellenic Studies, vol. 98, Nov. 1978, pp. 25-37.Constantinidou, Soteroula. â€Å"Dionysiac Elements in Spartan Cult Dances.† Phoenix, vol. 52, no. 1/2, Spring-Summer 1998, pp. 15-30.Figueira, Thomas J. â€Å"Mess Contributions and Subsistence at Sparta.† Transactions of the American Philological Association (1974-2014), vol. 114, 1984, pp. 87-109.Harley, T. Rutherford. â€Å"The Public School of Sparta.† Greece Rome, vol. 3, no. 9, May 1934, pp. 129-139.Whitley, James. â€Å"Cretan Laws and Cretan Literacy.† American Journal of Archaeology, vol. 101, no. 4, Oct. 1997, pp. 635-661.

Safeway Analysis - 1625 Words

Objective: An analysis of the factors driving performance of Safeway (top performing firm) A. Factors that Drive Profitability (as defined in the Interim Report) and an analysis of how they apply to Safeway and their industry leadership: 1. Location, specifically proximity to strategic markets. Being located close to or within key markets lets firms capitalize on their exposure, allowing them to maximize their control of a region and to enhance their margins. Grocery competition exists locally, since there is only so far that consumers are willing to travel to fulfill their needs, so if a firm can dominate a market with minimal competing operators it will enhance its profitability. †¢ Safeway operates 1,743 stores (as of†¦show more content†¦These four retailers average private-label dollar share of 22%, well above the industry average of 16%. They have also seen higher levels of overall sales growth versus non-leaders – 5.3% versus 3.4% over the past 3 years. 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Falling From Grace free essay sample

This paper discusses the book Falling From Grace by Katherine S. Newman. This paper analyzes the book Falling from Grace by Katherine S. Newman in which she describes how different prototypical Americans have lost their footing on the upward climb of the American Dream. She puts blame on social and economic changes that have been occurred over the past decades and how this has managed to get people to rethink what The American Dream is all about. From the paper: The great American Dream has changed from one generation to another in its particulars. For some it was home ownership, for others a chance to send their children to college, for others a chance to escape the city for the suburbs. But for each generation, regardless of these changing specifics of what it might mean to be a successful American, an essential part of the dreams of those Americans buying into the national dream was that each generation would be better off economically (and perhaps in other less tangible ways as well) from their parents. We will write a custom essay sample on Falling From Grace or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page

Should physician

Introduction Physician-assisted suicide is a hot topic that has managed to stir up heated debates over the years. Two sides have emerged due to this, the people who support it and those who are against it. This has led to a number of states legalizing it while other states are still not up for the idea.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Should physician-assisted suicide be legal? specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The central issue this report aims to respond and debate about is the main question posed whenever this issue is raised. The question is should physician-assisted suicide be legal? Physician-assisted suicide is being considered the best choice in cases where prolonging a patient’s life will only prolong suffering, as a result of poor medical condition and its effects (Balkin,2005). New life prolongation techniques and practices have been developed and improved due to medical advancements. So me of these methods go to extreme boundaries to keep people alive. This is one of the roots behind this dilemma. Various methods that are geared towards the smooth facilitation of this practice have also been developed. These methods are fast and painless and are aimed at making this process as easy as possible. Questions that have been raised now and again which act as a pivotal point for most of these arguments are mentioned below. ‘How much should a person suffer before the plug is pulled?’.’ should doctors be allowed to terminate a patient’s life?’, and ‘Is a doctor’s help to end one’s life under these circumstances really suicide?’ and ‘should a person be left to decide his or her own fate?’ Above are some of the questions that have led to the drive to reevaluate the preexisting rules (Engadhi, 2009). This report aims at supporting the need for Physician-assisted suicide. This is done through carefully an alyzing and backing the value of the right of the patient to self-determination.Advertising Looking for research paper on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More At the same time, there is also the matter of looking at a counter argument that opposes my point of view, which is that people think of this form of relief when they are in tremendous pain and depression and if these two elements are dealt with the option of physician-assisted suicide will not be considered (Roleff, 1998). Patient’s right to self-determination In the article the argument is because it is the patient’s choice over if they want to die or not because of bad medical condition. The patient is the one to be in charge. This is obviously, because the patient is the one who is in that situation, not the doctor or the state. The patient can have a number of reasons that may in the end lead to this decision. This may include: The patient may b e in immense pain and this anguish may go on for a very long period. In some cases, the patient may be forced to grapple with the pain for a very long period even if the doctors are sure that the chances of the pain going away are minimal to none. With this in mind, it is not valid for the government or anyone else to decide how long one is to suffer when there is a solution to the problem. This case has been termed as the mercy argument as it is the only reprieve a patient gets and this finally gives them a chance to end the pain and suffering. The costs and medical bills realized from trying to keep a patient in this condition are very high. Despite that, the facts that the person may never recover the bills still have to be paid. Thousands of dollars are being paid on people in a vegetative state or in conditions that have slim chances of improving. The patients’ family may be struggling to keep up and pay the bills while at the same time trying to fend for them. This econ omy argument on the side of the individual is based on the patients’ consideration of the interests of the family that is put in a difficult situation with an aim of guarantying their general welfare and peace of mind. This practice is also allowed in some regions around the world. Some states in the US have adapted this option as a last resort and it works. If this practice has been implemented and proves to work well why can other regions not also do the same? This is another argument question often raised that supports this.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Should physician-assisted suicide be legal? specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The other factor that needs to be accepted is that this method is in demand. People want it, this is evident in situations where even the elderly refuse to take their medication so as to try and stop the suffering or when doctors are constantly being asked by patien ts, friends and family members to just pull the plug and ease ones pain even if it goes against the laws of the country or state. Some of them choose to do this as they see the necessity behind it. Some doctors are even advocating for this practice. Overall, death in some cases is compassionate and should be considered if it is necessary. Pain and Suffering Majority of patients who want physician related suicide are those who are in pain or depressed. Some physicians are not trained on how to deal with people with depression; this leaves the patients with little hope when they get sick. The patients believe that they only have two options to suffer or to die. Trained physicians know how to deal with cases of depression and pain. Due to medical advancements treatments have been developed that ease the pain and different approaches of dealing with depression have been adapted that may go a long way in changing the mind of patients, making them opt for the option of living longer. Pati ents right versus pain and suffering Though this argument carries some weight, certain factors in relation to patients’ rights can still not be ignored. This argument does not have more weight over the latter. This is because factors like the case of the mercy argument have still not been dwelt on. Pain in some cases cannot be suppressed some extreme conditions are associated with immense pain that even the most effective drugs cannot always manage. Even with the coping of pain and depression, some cases have very small chances of being cured. The best the patient can do is hope for miracle healing. These cases offer the patient nothing to look forward to in their lives. These bring about things such as pain and suffering that is recurrent, and the question of a compassionate death is still an option.Advertising Looking for research paper on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Either way even if there is no pain or depression some of these conditions require a lot of money. The medical bills because of the medical services, medicine and checkups are very high. Even the patients’ insurance cover may not be able to cover these costs. These bills in most cases even wipe out the patients savings completely. This leaves a strain on the patients’ family and in most cases; the family members and friends have to chip in. This makes them strain in trying to cover all the expenses. The patient even though is not in pain may not want the people around him or her to suffer because of this hence the option of physician-assisted suicide to ease the peoples burden is chosen. Conclusion The patient should be the one to decide his or her fate as in the end it should boil down to ones right. The state and doctors should not be left with the task of dictating the life of a patient despite the pain, suffering and interests. The patients may have a variety of re asons that will lead him or her to opt for this option. The reasons are pain, suffering and the high costs realized because of trying to cope with the condition. Though the argument that the possibility of suppressing pain and depression can help significantly in making the patients not to choose this option other factors such as the amount of pain, the lack of hope of a cure and the financial strains on the patients family and friends make this option less effective. This option should however be practiced with caution, it should be the last resort after all the necessary options have been tried and no solution can be effective. Law from the unsafe implementation of this strategy should also regulate the physicians. Physician-assisted suicide should be legalized with no doubt. Its pros outweigh its cons and that is why different regions should consider this option for the general good. References Balkin, K. (2005). Assisted Suicide. Detroit, MI: Greenhaven press. Engadhi, S. (2009) . Assisted suicide. Detroit, MI: Green haven press. Roleff, T. L. (1998). Suicide: Opposing viewpoints. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven press. This research paper on Should physician-assisted suicide be legal? was written and submitted by user Giselle Daniels to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.