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Why did Spartan mothers say to their sons Come home with this shield or on it?
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
When a hoplite (classic Greek infantryman) died or was severely wounded in battle, his comrades would carry him back atop his shield; when soldiers flee from battle in panic, they typically drop their equipment so as to run faster. Returning with, or upon, his shield meant that that Spartan had not fled the battle out of cowardice or (even worse) surrendered.
One may find it incomprehensible that a mother would demand that her son accept death rather than dishonor; however, in Spartan culture, martial honor was the highest virtue, and weakness the ultimate sin. Furthermore, in Sparta, individuals were regarded almost purely as tools of the state. Recall JFK's line from his inaugural address, "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country" - the Spartans lived and died according to that principle. Spartan boys were drafted in the army at a very early age (as far as I know, as soon as they were old enough to walk & run) and sent to a training program far harsher than any boot camp on our planet today. All Spartan men (except those who had dishonored themselves) were soldiers, and all Spartan women were soldier factories. For those mothers, sending their sons to conquer or die was as natural as it was for American mothers to buy war bonds to support their sons in uniform during the Second World War.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoBeing brought back on your shield would probably mean that you were dead or injured, when if you came back with it, you have probably protected yourself.
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A spartan warrior was told to return from war with or to?
Their shield. It was believed that, if a Spartan returned without their shield, they had thrown it at the enemy as they ran away from the fight. Fleeing from battle in Sparta was a capital offense. ANSWER The actual quote is fiction. It never appeared in any ancient source but was used today to clearly emphasize the very core of their culture.
How did the Spartans use their shields in battle?
"The large shield used by the Greeks was an excellent defense as it could stop most weapons of its time. In addition, its weight made it a dangerous weapon. A thrust forward with the shield could knock an opponent down, setting him up for a kill with any of the attacker's weapons. A strike from the shield's edge was deadly, as it could break bones and fatally fracture the skull." ~ Wikipedia A Spartan mother's parting words to her son as he left for battle were "Come home bearing your shield, or on it." This quote is found in Plutarch's Moralia, a collection of morals, tales, and short stories, in a section called Sayings of Spartan Women. While this may indicate another use for the shield as a stretcher, it is more likely that the family would simply want the valuable large shield back.
What does it mean to return home with your shield or on it?
ether came home home won the battle or die in it never surrender
What age could Spartan men return home?
spartan men were allowed to leave the military camp at age 50.
What did Roman mothers do?
Roman mothers stayed home and raised the children. They had to do what their mother-in-law said. Women could not own property or inherit after her husband died.
Did Spartan girls stay home to help their mothers?
Yes.
How old were Spartan men when they could return to their homes?
At age 60, they could "retire" completely to 'home guard' and training the young men and boys. But other than that, there was no such thing as retirement. If they went to war, their mothers would give them their armor, weapons and shields. Then they would tell their son(s) "Come home with this shield covered in glory with your enemies' blood, or upon this shield covered with your own. Do not come home without it". they where 30 not 60 i just took a quiz and got 3/4 because the anwser was 30 not 60
A spartan warrior was told to return from war with or to?
Their shield. It was believed that, if a Spartan returned without their shield, they had thrown it at the enemy as they ran away from the fight. Fleeing from battle in Sparta was a capital offense. ANSWER The actual quote is fiction. It never appeared in any ancient source but was used today to clearly emphasize the very core of their culture.
did spartan woman have more rights than athenian woman?
Spartan women had more rights and freedoms than Athenian women. Spartan women were educated, could own property, and participate in sports, while Athenian women had limited rights and were mostly confined to the home as wives and mothers.
How did Sparta prepare men?
The Spartan men were takin from there mothers at the age of 7 to start training for the Army. When they were 30 they were able to come home to there family but if they were told they need to serve they had to. When they became 60 years of age they retired from the Army if they made it to that age.
How did the Spartans use their shields in battle?
"The large shield used by the Greeks was an excellent defense as it could stop most weapons of its time. In addition, its weight made it a dangerous weapon. A thrust forward with the shield could knock an opponent down, setting him up for a kill with any of the attacker's weapons. A strike from the shield's edge was deadly, as it could break bones and fatally fracture the skull." ~ Wikipedia A Spartan mother's parting words to her son as he left for battle were "Come home bearing your shield, or on it." This quote is found in Plutarch's Moralia, a collection of morals, tales, and short stories, in a section called Sayings of Spartan Women. While this may indicate another use for the shield as a stretcher, it is more likely that the family would simply want the valuable large shield back.
What was spartan's home life like?
it was boring
What did spartan children do?
Most of the time when the boys were very young they were taken from there parents and sent to a a military school, there they were trained to me solidors. While the women stayed at home with there mothers got a eduguation and helped out around the house.
What is thelifestyle of a spartan?
The life of a spartan was very hard back then. They wanted their warriors trained powerful enough to fight any army no matter what size they were, which fighting made them behind in their studies and economics. Woman and girls did not join the army yet would play sports such as racing and throwing spears so they would grow into strong mothers. Boys would trained same until they were either 7 or 12 years of age and were taken from their homes to barracks to prepare to join the army. They had to make their own beds, discipline in very painful ways, and were forced to eat soup made out of animal blood and meat. Then they would join the army when about in their 20's. In spartan lifestyles they were trained that it was best to win or die trying. A mother told her son when he was 7 to ""Come back with your shield - or on it" meaning that she would be ashamed with him losing and home but would be proud of him back victorious holding his shield or died on the field trying.
What does it mean to return home with your shield or on it?
ether came home home won the battle or die in it never surrender
What did the Spartans exspression bring back this shield yourself or be brought back on it mean?
Come home victorious of die fighting
What age could Spartan men return home?
spartan men were allowed to leave the military camp at age 50.
