The Ideal Education And The Spartan Discipline For Youth

Both articles, “The Ideal Education” and “The Spartan Discipline for youth”, demonstrate how the educational methods of both Sparta and Ancient Rome were different in many ways; nevertheless, the objective of educating their youth was overall similar, but with different areas of focus. In Sparta, education for the youth, in particular for boys, was centered towards discipline, obedience, and physical ability. On the other hand, Ancient Rome focused on knowledge since it was one of their core values. Despite the great dissimilarities, there were a few similarities like the age education took effect and who was educated. To Sparta, having the most powerful military in the world was the most important priority at the time. Raising healthy children and preparing them to serve in the military was the way youth were educated in Sparta. Children were thought to not be afraid of anything and have courage. As Plutarch states, “The children grew up free and unconstrained in limb and form, and not dainty and fanciful about their food; not afraid in the dark, or of being left alone; without any peevishness or ill humor or crying” (Plutarch,

Preparing Roman boys to be part of the military was not important for Quintilian. Rather, he wanted men that could develop new ideas and brighten the future of Rome. According to Quintilian, it was important for a child to start his education at the age of seven, “ Some have thought that boys, as long as they are under seven years of age, should not be set to learn, because that is the earliest age that can understand what is taught, and endure the labor of learning” (Paragraph 9, Quintilian). The age of seven was considered the age where children could retain information more efficiently and start the process of learning. The society and culture of both Sparta and Rome were with any doubt distinct; however, similarities did exist between these two