GRECIAN EUUCATIOX. 23-5 



Physical education was very carefully altencled to. Great pains were 

 taken for the full developement of the animal system. The results of 

 this training have not yet lost their interest, but might be profitably stu- 

 died by the present age. A writer of our own country,* who has ex- 

 pressed himself very decidedly against the civil polity of the Lacedae- 

 monians, in reference to their physical training, makes the following re- 

 mark : "It is much to be desired that exercises like those established by 

 Lycurgus, running, wrestling, riding, swimming, skating, fencing, (dan- 

 cing ?) should be introduced into public and private education in Amer- 

 ica, which would fortify the body and invigorate the minds of youth; 

 instead of those sedentary amusements which debilitate, and are taking 

 entire possession of society all over the world." Education amongst 

 the Lacedaemonians was not confined to the body, although this consti- 

 tuted a considerable and important part of their training. The mind, the 

 noble part of man, was not neglected. Their great aim was to prepare 

 their pupils for government and submission. They were to understand 

 the government of others and of submission themselves. 



After they had completed their seventh year, their education com- 

 menced. Previously to this, they remained at home. No one was ex- 

 empt except the heir apparent to the throne. Deprivation of civil rights 

 was the penalty inflicted upon the father who withheld his son. 



The exemption of the heir apparent did not release him from obliga- 

 tion to attend to the prescribed gymnastic exercises. When the system 

 of public training commenced the boys were classified. Each class 

 [uyeXit) consisted of smaller divisions, (^ovxi and /A«<) and was su- 

 perintended by a young man twenty years of age, who was called 

 fiovxyoi. He had the most entire authority over the boys agreeably 

 to the wrong views of the Spartans, and the choice was made of a 

 young man (e/f^») on the ground of intelligence and firmness. The 

 Paidonomos was at the head of the whole, an officer elected for his in- 

 telligence and bravery. 



In order to appreciate the course of education amongst this people, 

 says the celebrated Schwartz, we must look at the classification ol' the 

 boys according to their age. The boy remained, as before stated, in his 

 father's house till he had completed his seventh year, and consequently 

 belonged to no agela, on which sccount he was called in Crete, where 

 the same constitution existed, ccTrxyeXog, and likewise c-Konoi. After 

 this the public education (ayuyti) commenced, which the sons of na- 

 tive Spartans enjoyed, who were, on this account, called TroXirtKot 



* John Adams' Defence, Sec 



