From birth they were taught to fear nothing. These are 25 insane reasons that the Spartans were more hardcore than you.
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At birth, Spartan infants were examined for physical deformities before a council, and those who did not pass the inspection were left to die in the wilderness
The infant would usually die of exposure to the elements although occasionally it might be rescued by strangers
The children that made it did not have it easy though. To make them strong infants were given baths in wine rather than water.
They were also ignored when they cried and taught to never fear darkness or solitude
At age 7 Spartan boys were taken from their parents home and began the agoge, a state sponsored program meant to turn them into fearless fighting machines and responsible citizens
Housed in communal barracks the young soldiers were taught about warfare, hunting, and athletics
At age 12 everything was taken from them, except for one red cloak. They were then forced to sleep outside in the cold.
Food was intentionally kept scarce and the boys were even encouraged to steal for food.
If they were caught, however, they were flogged severely.
Just as all Spartan men were expected to be skilled soldiers, all Spartan women were expected to give birth to Spartan men that would eventually be those skilled soldiers.
Therefore, just as the boys went to through training in military tactics and fighting, girls went through their own training regimen of athletics and mental preparation to make them strong for motherhood. As it was said…only Spartan women could give birth to Spartan men.
Unlike the boys the girls were allowed to stay with their parents
Many subjects taught in the agoge were normal subjects like writing and reading but as you have already seen, there was a vicious aspect to the training.
Hazing and fighting were encouraged among the boys
The agage was designed to make them immune to cold, hunger and pain, both mental and physical.
