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One of Lykurgus' sweeping mandated reforms was phiditia (common dining at public tables) which encouraged socialization among Spartans.

“boys were taken to the public tables, as though they were schools of good manners; and there they listened to discourses on politics, and saw models of gentlemanly behavior, and learned how to jest with one another, joking without vulgarity, and being made the subjects of jokes without losing their temper. Indeed it was considered peculiarly Laconian to take a joke”

Plutarch’s Lives vol. 1: Life of Lykurgus Section XI

One of Lykurgus' sweeping mandated reforms was phiditia (common dining at public tables) which encouraged socialization among Spartans. >“boys were taken to the public tables, as though they were schools of good manners; and there they listened to discourses on politics, and saw models of gentlemanly behavior, and learned how to jest with one another, joking without vulgarity, and being made the subjects of jokes without losing their temper. Indeed it was considered peculiarly Laconian to take a joke” Plutarch’s Lives vol. 1: Life of Lykurgus Section XI

2 comments

[–] LockeProposal 3 points (+3|-0)

This is what I love about the Spartans. People always talk about their military might and upbringing (especially since 300 came out), but they never talk about how clever and pragmatic they were.