steal whatever they could; but if they were caught in the fact,
they were severely punished for their want of dexterity.
Plutarch tells us of a boy, who, having stolen a fox, and hid it
under his garment, chose rather to let it tear out his very
bowels than be detected in the theft.

The literary education of a Spartan youth was of a most
restricted kind. He was taught to despise literature as unworthy
of a warrior, while the study of eloquence and philosophy, which
were cultivated at Athens with such extraordinary success, was
regarded at Sparta with contempt. Long speeches were a Spartan's
abhorrence, and he was trained to express himself with
sententious brevity.

A Spartan was not considered to have reached the full age of
manhood till he had completed his thirtieth year. He was then
allowed to marry, to take part in the public assembly, and was
eligible to the offices of the state. But he still continued
under the public discipline, and was not permitted even to reside
and take his meals with his wife. It was not till he had reached
his sixtieth year that he was released from the public discipline
and from military service.

The public mess--called SYSSITIA--is said to have been instituted
by Lycurgus to prevent all indulgence of the appetite. Public
tables were provided, at which every male citizen was obliged to
take his meals. Each table accommodated fifteen persons, who
formed a separate mess, into which no new member was admitted,
except by the unanimous consent of the whole company. Each sent
monthly to the common stock a specified quantity of barley-meal,