Rejected babies of Sparta: The cruel reason the Spartans killed their own children

The city-state of Sparta, established around the 10th century BCE, became one of the preeminent powers in the ancient Greek world.

Located in the region of Laconia, its rise was markedly different from that of other Greek polities.

By the 6th century BCE, under the reforms of Lycurgus, Sparta had begun to adopt a highly regimented and militarized way of life.

The Peloponnesian War, which took place from 431 to 404 BCE and saw Sparta confront the might of Athens, further highlighted the necessity for a robust and effective military force.

It was against this backdrop that the practice of selective infanticide was fostered.

At the heart of the Spartan societal structure lay a profound emphasis on collective strength, unity, and physical prowess.

These values, essential for the city-state's survival and dominance, found a stark expression in the practice of selective infanticide.

Sparta's landscape, characterized by rugged terrain and limited arable land, necessitated a society that prioritized efficiency and optimization, both in terms of resources and population.

Every citizen's contribution was essential, and as such, a strong, healthy populace became a paramount concern.

The very fabric of Spartan life was interwoven with the ideals of militarism. From the age of seven, Spartan boys were enrolled in the agoge, a rigorous education and training regimen that molded them into elite warriors.

Given this early and intense immersion into military life, the physical fitness of each individual became a matter of state interest.

Upon the birth of a child in Sparta, the infant was first washed with wine, a ritual believed to strengthen the child's physique and test its constitution.

If the child survived this initial rite, it was then subject to inspection by the family, particularly the father, who played a crucial role in determining its fate.

If deemed healthy and robust, the child was accepted into the household. However, if there were any signs of frailty or deformity, the decision was escalated to a formal process.

This inspection was conducted by the Gerousia, the council of elders in Spartan society.

Comprising seasoned and respected leaders, the Gerousia would assess the baby based on specific criteria.

While we don't have an exhaustive checklist of these criteria from ancient sources, it's clear that the primary focus was on physical potential and the absence of visible disabilities or deformities.

Their judgment was deemed final, underscoring the weight and significance given to the council's collective wisdom in matters of state interest.

Babies who failed to meet the council's standards were taken to a chasm at the foot of Mount Taygetos, a place often referred to as the 'Apothetae' or 'place of rejection.'

Here, they were left exposed to the elements. Contrary to some exaggerated accounts, there is limited evidence to suggest that infants were thrown into the chasm.

Instead, exposure – a passive form of infanticide widely practiced in the ancient world – was the likely method used.

Left in this remote location, the babies would succumb to the cold, wildlife, or simply the absence of care.

The practice of selective infanticide in Sparta had profound social and cultural implications, shaping the very essence of Spartan identity and its societal dynamics.

Firstly, this practice reinforced the Spartan ideal of prioritizing the collective over individual welfare.

In a society where every citizen's role was meticulously defined and crucial to the state's well-being, any perceived weak link was seen as detrimental to the collective whole.

Through the lens of this ethos, the act of relinquishing an infant deemed unfit was not a personal tragedy but a sacrifice for the greater good.

For Spartan families, especially mothers, we can only assume the emotional toll of this practice was significant. 

While Spartan women were known for their resilience and stoicism, the act of parting with a child would undoubtedly have been a deeply traumatic experience.

Yet, in this society, the emphasis on duty often eclipsed personal sentiment. Spartan mothers were famously known to send their sons off to war with the exhortation to return "with your shield or on it".

This sentiment speaks volumes about the societal pressure on both men and women to prioritize Sparta's well-being above all.

The practice also had implications on the broader social fabric. For one, it highlighted the divide between the Spartan citizenry and others, such as the helots or the perioikoi (non-citizen inhabitants of Sparta).

In a society where birthright and physical prowess determined one's status and role, those who survived the early test of selective infanticide were instilled with a sense of pride and purpose from a very young age.

This societal stratification played a crucial role in maintaining the dominance of the ruling Spartiates over other groups.

The topic of Spartan selective infanticide has not been without its controversies and debates, both in antiquity and in modern times.

One of the primary points of contention revolves around the accuracy and reliability of the sources that describe this practice.

Much of our knowledge about Sparta comes from external sources, particularly Athenian writers like Plutarch, Thucydides, and Xenophon.

Given the intense rivalry between Athens and Sparta, there's an ongoing debate among historians about the extent to which these accounts might be biased or exaggerated.

Some argue that the practice might have been less widespread than typically depicted, while others believe that these accounts offer a relatively accurate portrayal of Spartan customs.

Eugenics, a concept that gained traction in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, reignited debates around Spartan practices.

Advocates of eugenics, who believed in improving the genetic quality of the human population through selective breeding and sterilization, often looked to Sparta as a historical precedent.

However, opponents were quick to highlight the ethical pitfalls and dangers of such an approach, using Sparta's infanticide as a cautionary tale of what can happen when societal ideals overshadow individual rights.