Quick questions on Spartan art, architecture, technology, and economy: HSC Ancient History

The picture of Sparta as austere from its foundation is a classical-era ideology, not an archaic reality. Archaic Sparta (7th to early 6th century BC) was artistically rich.

From the late 6th century BC onward, the visible artistic and architectural record of Sparta declines. Monumental temple construction, imported luxuries, and elaborate dedications all become less prominent.

The Amyklaion. The cult centre of Apollo Hyakinthios at Amyklai, around 5 km south of Sparta. The "Throne of Apollo" (designed by the sculptor Bathycles of Magnesia, 6th century BC) was an elaborate cult installation around a colossal bronze statue of Apollo. Pausanias (3.18) describes it in detail.

The Spartan economy rested on agricultural production from the Eurotas valley and Messenia, worked by Helot labour and supplemented by Perioikic crafts and trade.

Stephen Hodkinson (Property and Wealth in Classical Sparta, 2000) has revised the picture of Spartan austerity.

Stephen Hodkinson (Property and Wealth in Classical Sparta, 2000) is the canonical revisionist. The austerity was ideology; the inequality was real.

Laconian bronzeworkers produced sophisticated vessels and statuettes. The Vix Krater (around 530 BC), a 1.64 metre tall bronze mixing vessel found in a Celtic burial in central France, is widely attributed to Laconian workshops. The "Charioteer of Delphi" (around 470 BC), one of the great surviving Greek bronzes, was found at the temple of Apollo at Delphi and is plausibly Laconian.

Laconian black-figure pottery (6th century BC) was distinctive: bowls, cups, and kraters with naturalistic mythological scenes. The "Cup of Arcesilas" from Cyrene (around 560 BC) is the most famous example. Laconian pottery was exported across the Mediterranean, including to Etruria, Cyrenaica, and Magna Graecia.

The Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia preserved over 100,000 votive lead figurines and elaborate ivory plaques from the 7th and 6th centuries BC. The plaques depict warriors, ships, processions, and mythological scenes in high relief.

The 7th-century BC poets Tyrtaeus (war poetry) and Alcman (choral lyric, the Partheneia) flourished at Sparta. Choral festivals brought poetry, music, and dance together.

The cult centre of Apollo Hyakinthios at Amyklai, around 5 km south of Sparta. The "Throne of Apollo" (designed by the sculptor Bathycles of Magnesia, 6th century BC) was an elaborate cult installation around a colossal bronze statue of Apollo. Pausanias (3.18) describes it in detail.

Near the Eurotas, just outside Sparta. Excavated since the early 20th century; the site of the diamastigosis (boys' whipping contest). Yielded the lead figurines and ivory plaques.

On the Spartan acropolis. Named for the bronze plaques that lined its walls. King Pausanias died of starvation in this sanctuary around 470 BC (Thucydides 1.134).

A heroon to Menelaus and Helen on a hill east of Sparta. Excavated from the late 19th century onwards; yields dedications across the archaic and classical periods.

A circular structure in central Sparta, possibly the agora's social centre.