What was the most important aspect of life in Sparta? Lycurgus, a lawgiver from the city-state of Sparta, thought education for boys should teach them how to fight. The historian Plutarch described how education was handled in Sparta under Lycurgus: "Reading and writing they gave them, just enough to serve their turn; their chief care was to make them good subjects and to teach them to endure pain and conquer in battle."- Plutarch

Sparta is a word that means self-restrained, simple, and frugal. It was a warrior society in ancient Greece, and it was committed to state and military service. The boys were sponsored on an educational, military training and socialized program known as the Agoge.

The system emphasized duty, discipline, and endurance, the boys who performed well in training, were appointed to participate in the crypteia, which became the police force, had a goal of terrorizing and murdering troublemakers. However, women were educated but not included in military training.

A spartan man devoted their life to military service. Spartan men were taught that loyalty to the state came first including in front of loyalty towards the family. All of Spartans men were raised as professional soldiers. Military training for them was mandatory, and they were all skilled in the style of ancient Greek fighting. Building weapons for the Spartans were also imperative, and they were brought up to be very skilled warriors.

The teenage boys who demonstrated the best leadership potential were designated for participation in the Crypteia, which acted within a covert police force whose principal goal was to terrorize and murder those who were deemed as troublemakers. They had constant military drilling and discipline. Going into battle, a Spartan soldier or a large bronze helmet, breastplate, ankle guards, a round shield made of bronze and would, and a long spear and sword. Spartan warriors were also known for their long hair and red cloaks.