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1. Geographical Setting

Source 1.1- Map of Ancient Sparta

 

 

 

Source 1.2 Modern photograph of Sparta, featuring Mount Taygetus

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  1. Geographical Setting: Sparta was positioned west of the Eurotas River one the plains of Laconia between two mountains- Mt Parnon and Mt Taygetus. The Eurotas river provided Sparta with its water supply and the mountains provided not only many resources but also gave Sparta its natural defence. The mountains were rough and steep, cutting Sparta off from the East. The climate was extreme- hot and dry in summer but cold and snowy in winter. The mountains probably remained snow-capped all year round.

  2. Natural Resources: The surrounding mountains provided Sparta with many resources such as timber for building, marble was quarried from Mt Taygetus (valuble for art, architechture and trade), iron and lead were also abundant- perfect for the construction of weapons. The mountains were also a great source for hunting game. The mountains and river meant that the soil was fertile and well watered- this allowed the Spartans to grow many crops such as barley, wheat, grapes, figs and olives. Sheep and goats grazed on the plains, which offered wool, meat and diary products.

Sources to support your work:

 

Strabo, Geography 8.5.6-7

 

"Loconia has much arable land but is not easy to cultivate, for it is hollow, surrounded by mountains, rugged, and difficult for enemies to invade...[it] is a land of fair fruitage and watered by innumerable streams, abounding in pasturage for cattle and sheep...there are quarries of very costly marble"

 

 

Thucydides 1.10

 

"Suppose, for example, that the city of Sparta were to become deserted and that only the temples and foundations of buildings remained, i think that future generations would, as time passed, find it very difficult to believe that the place had really been as powerful as it was represented to be… Since, however, the city is not regularly planned and contains no temples or monuments of great magnificence, but is simply a collection of villages, in the ancient Hellenic way, its appearance would not come up to expectation. If, on the other hand, the same thing were to happen to Athens, one would conjecture from what met the eye that the city had been twice as powerful as in fact it is.”
 

Complete the following questions that have been collected from past HSC papers:

 

  1.  Name TWO natural resources of Sparta. (2 marks)

  2. Name TWO geographical features in the region of Sparta. (2 marks)

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