READINGS IN THE

HISTORY OF EDUCATION

CHAPTER I

THE OLD GREEK EDUCATION

THE Readings in this chapter deal with Spartan education, as typical of the older tribal practices of the Hellenes, and with Athenian education before the Age of Pericles, as typical of the best evolved in Greece before its Golden Age. The Readings reproduced describe and compare both, and give a good basis for an understanding of the underlying motives and the character of

each.

The selection from Plutarch (1) describes well the Spartan methods, purposes, and teachers, while the selection from Plato (2) gives a similar description for Athenian education. The selection from Lucian (3) pictures an Athenian schoolboy's day, and the one from Aristotle (4) describes well the care taken as to citizenship enrollment, the exclusion of foreigners and all others not of proper birth, and the nature of the training of the Ephebic years. The selection from Freeman (5) is an excellent comparison of the character and ideals of the Spartan and the Athenian types of education, and the usefulness of each for the progress of the State. The aim of the Athenian education which produced such large human results is well stated by Thucydides (6).

The degree to which Athens was able to evolve beyond the earlier tribal type of preparedness education, represented so well by Sparta, is evidence as to the wonderful ability of the Attic Greeks to make progressive changes in living and in government, and consequently to advance where others stood still. Far more than other Greeks, those of Attica were imaginative, original, versatile, adaptable, progressive, and endowed with rare mental ability. Only on such an assumption can we explain not only the very superior type of training for citizenship which they evolved, but also their marvelous achievements in art, philosophy, litera

ture, and science at this early period in the development of the civilization of the world.

1. Ancient Education in Sparta

(Plutarch's Lives, Lycurgus; selected passages)

Plutarch (46-120 A.D.), a Greek who lived an active public life, largely in diplomatic service for Rome, has left us a number of character sketches of historical personages in Greek and Roman history which throw much light on ancient conditions. The following extracts from his Life of Lycurgus, the Spartan lawgiver, who is supposed to have lived in the ninth century B.C., describes Spartan education.

As for the education of youth, which he looked upon as the greatest and most glorious work of a lawgiver, he began with it at the very source, taking into consideration their conception and birth, by regulating the marriages. For he did not (as Aristotle says) desist from his attempt to bring the women under sober rules. They had, indeed, assumed great liberty and power on account of the frequent expeditions of their husbands, during which they were left sole mistresses at home, and so gained an undue deference and improper titles; but notwithstanding this he took all possible care of them. He ordered the virgins to exercise themselves in running, wrestling, and throwing quoits and darts; that their bodies being strong and vigorous, the children afterwards produced from them might be the same; and that, thus fortified by exercise, they might the better support the pangs of childbirth, and be delivered with safety.

It was not left to the father to rear what children he pleased, but he was obliged to carry the child to a place called Lesche, to be examined by the most ancient men of the tribe, who were assembled there. If it was strong and well proportioned, they gave orders for its education, and assigned it to one of the nine thousand shares of land; but if it was weakly and deformed, they ordered it to be thrown into the place called Apothete, which is a deep cavern near the mountain Taygetus; concluding that its life could be no advantage either to itself or to the public, since nature had not given it at first any strength or goodness of constitution. . . . The Spartan children were not under tutors purchased or hired with money, nor were the parents at liberty to educate them as they pleased: but as soon as they were seven years old, Lycurgus ordered them to be enrolled in companies, where they were all kept under the same order and discipline, and had their exercises and recreations in common. He who showed the most conduct and courage amongst them, was made captain of the company. The rest kept

their eyes upon him, obeyed his orders, and bore with patience the punishment he inflicted: so that their whole education was an exercise of obedience. The old men were present at their diversions, and often suggested some occasion of dispute or quarrel, that they might observe with exactness the spirit of each, and their firmness in battle.

As for learning they had just what was absolutely necessary. the rest of their education was calculated to make them subject to command, to endure labor, to fight and conquer. They added, therefore, to their discipline, as they advanced in age; cutting their hair very close, making them go barefoot, and play, for the most part, quite naked. At twelve years of age, their undergarment was taken away, and but one upper one a year allowed them. Hence they were necessarily dirty in their persons, and not indulged the great favor of baths, and oils, except on some particular days of the year. They slept in companies, on beds made of the tops of reeds, which they gathered with their own hands, without knives, and brought from the banks of the Eurotas. In winter they were permitted to add a little thistledown, as that seemed to have some warmth in it.

At this age, the most distinguished amongst them became the favorite companions of the elder; and the old men attended more constantly their places of exercise, observing their trials of strength and wit, not slightly and in a cursory manner, but as their fathers, guardians, and governors: so that there was neither time nor place, where persons were wanting to instruct and chastise them. One of the best and ablest men of the city was, moreover, appointed instructor of the youth: and he gave the command of each company to the discreetest and most spirited of those called Irens. An Iren was one that had been two years out of the class of boys: a Milliren, one of the oldest lads. This Iren, then, a youth twenty years old, gives orders to those under his command, in their little battles, and has them to serve him at his house. He sends the oldest of them to fetch wood, and the younger to gather pot-herbs: these they steal where they can find them, either slyly getting into gardens, or else craftily and warily creeping to the common tables. But if any one be caught, he is severely flogged for negligence or want of dexterity. They steal, too, whatever victuals they possibly can, ingeniously contriving to do it when persons are asleep, or keep but indifferent watch. If they are discovered, they are punished not only with whipping, but with hunger. Indeed, their supper is but slender at all times, that, to fence against want, they may be forced to exercise their courage and address. This is the first intention of their spare diet: a subordinate one is, to make them grow tall....

The boys steal with so much caution, that one of them having conveyed a young fox under his garment, suffered the creature to tear out his bowels with his teeth and claws, choosing rather to die than to be detected. Nor does this appear incredible, if we consider what their

young men can endure to this day; for we have seen many of them expire under the lash at the altar of Diana Orthia.

The Iren, reposing himself after supper, used to order one of the boys to sing a song; to another he put some question which required a judicious answer: for example, Who was the best man in the city? or, What he thought of such an action? This accustomed them from their childhood to judge of the virtues, to enter into the affairs of their countrymen. For if one of them was asked, Who is a good citizen, or who an infamous one, and hesitated in his answer, he was considered a boy of slow parts, and of a soul that would not inspire to honor. The answer was likewise to have a reason assigned for it, and proof conceived in a few words. He whose account of the matter was wrong, by way of punishment, had his thumb bit by the Iren. The old men and magistrates often attended these little trials, to see whether the Iren exercised his authority in a rational and proper manner. He was permitted, indeed, to inflict the penalties; but when the boys were gone, he was to be chastised himself, if he had punished them either with too much severity or remissness.

The adopters of favorites also shared both in the honor and disgrace of their boys: and one of them is said to have been mulcted by the magistrates, because the boy whom he had taken into his affections let some ungenerous word or cry escape him as he was fighting. This love was so honorable, and in so much esteem, that the virgins too had their lovers amongst the most virtuous matrons. A competition of affection caused no misunderstanding, but rather a mutual friendship between those that had fixed their regards upon the same youth, and a united endeavor to make him as accomplished as possible.

2. Description of an Athenian Schoolboy's Life

(Plato, The Protagoras; selected)

Plato (429-348 B.C.), the famous Greek philosopher, here describes in condensed form the training which an Athenian schoolboy received. The extract is from one of the Socratic dialogues in his Protagoras.

Education and admonition commence in the first years of childhood, and last to the very end of life. Mother and nurse and father and tutor are quarreling about the improvement of the child as soon as ever he is able to understand them; he cannot say or do anything without their setting forth to him that this is just and that is unjust; this is honourable, that is dishonourable; this is holy, that is unholy; do this and abstain from that. And if he obeys, well and good; if not, he is straightened by threats and blows, like a piece of warped wood. At a later tage they send him to teachers, and enjoin them to see to his manners