SP2d: Social Structure of Sparta – Spartiates
Source 1
Lycurgus then noted that the Spartans just like the
rest of the Greeks were living at home, and,
realising that this was responsible for their taking
most things too easily, brought the common
messes out into the open, considering that this
would reduce disobedience of orders to a
minimum. He assigned them a ration of corn, so
that they would neither be gorged nor hungry. But
they get many additional foods supplied from
hunting expeditions; and there are times when the
rich also contribute wheaten bread instead; so the
table is never bare until they separate and go into
their quarters, but neither is it extravagantly
supplied. He also puts an end to the compulsory
drinking of wine, which undoes both body and
mind, and allowed each man to drink when he was
thirsty, thinking this would be the least harmful
and most pleasurable way of drinking.
Xenophon, cited in Dillon & Garland, Ancient
Source 2
The oldest member indicated the doors to
each person entering and said:”Not a word
goes out through these”. By all accounts
anyone desiring to join a mess was vetted
in the following way. Each member would
take a piece of soft bread in his hand and in
silence throw it, like a ballot, into a bowl
which a servant carried on his head. Those
in favour threw the bread as it was, while
those against squeezed it hard with their
hand. And should they find even one of
these, they do not admit the would-be
entrant because it is their wish that all
should be happy in each other’s company.
Plutarch on Sparta, p21