Imagining a day in the life of an ancient Spartan is an intriguing exercise, especially considering their unique and rigorous way of life.
Morning: A Spartan day would start early. Spartans valued simplicity and frugality. Breakfast would likely be sparse, consisting of foods like barley bread, figs, and cheese. Physical training was a core part of Spartan life, so the morning would involve rigorous exercises and military drills. Even young boys, enrolled in the agoge (the Spartan education and training system), would engage in physical training to prepare them for a life of military service.
Afternoon: After physical training, there would be communal meals, known as ‘syssitia’, where all Spartans, regardless of social status, would eat together. These meals were not lavish; they often included a simple broth known as ‘black soup’, made of pork, blood, salt, and vinegar. Afternoons might also involve more military training, hunting, or participating in communal affairs.
Evening: Spartans valued social cohesion and community. Evenings could involve participating in communal rites or spending time with their mess groups. Despite their martial nature, Spartans also appreciated music, poetry, and dance, and these would be a part of their social activities.
Overall Lifestyle: The Spartan lifestyle was austere, disciplined, and focused on preparing for warfare. They valued endurance, resilience, and obedience. Spartan society was also unique in its approach to gender roles; Spartan women had more rights and autonomy compared to other Greek city-states, as they were responsible for running the household while the men were away for military duties.
Regarding the etymology of “lifestyle,” the term originates from the German word “Lebensstil,” coined by Austrian psychologist Alfred Adler in the 1920s. “Leben” means “life,” and “Stil” means “style.” Adler used the term to describe one’s basic character as established early in life. The English word “lifestyle” emerged in the 1960s, reflecting a person’s typical way of life, including habits, attitudes, moral standards, economic level, and social relations. The term has since become common in discussing the way individuals or groups live, including their behaviors, interests, and values.