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Spartans lived in harsh conditions, without luxuries, to make them tough fighters. Physical training and fitness was considered to be an important part of a Spartan child’s education. Girls did not fight in wars but they took part in physical activities because Spartans believed fit and strong women would have healthy babies that would be good soldiers. Boys went to live at an army barracks at the age of 7. Government Sparta had its own system of government which was very different from the other city states. Rule was shared between two kings, the Gerousia and the Assembly. Most citizens Spartans were either Perioeci (citizens who paid taxes, served in the army and were protected by Spartan laws) or Helots (people from lands conquered and ruled by Sparta who had no rights). The Helots Spartan citizens were given land which was farmed for them by the Helots. The Helots were treated as serfs (slaves) and had to give half their crops to their Spartan master.

Definition of a Pilgrimage Definition of a Pilgrimage: A Pilgrimage is a journey to a holy place or shrine undertaken as a spiritual quest to obtain supernatural help or as a form of penance for sins. A pilgrim is one who undertakes a pilgrimage. The word 'pilgrimage' is derived from the Latin word peregrinus meaning foreignerand peregri meaning abroad translated as a traveller in foreign lands. The word 'peregrinatio' was used by Augustine of Hippo 354-430AD , who was considered to be the writer of some of greatest theological works of all time, to describe a Christian spiritual journey as a kind of estrangement and exile - a wanderer. The earliest surviving references to Christian pilgrimage date back to the 4th century.

The Concept of Pilgrimage Augustine of Hippo wrote about the concept of the pilgrimage and other religious leaders such as Saint Jerome also encouraged it in their religious writings. The idea or the concept of Pilgrimage was eagerly accepted by Medieval people from all walks of life, young or old, wealthy or poor. The concept of pilgrimage was and important religious belief in the Middle Ages both in terms of religious activity and as a way of Medieval life.

Soon it became common for Medieval people to make a pilgrimage closer to home visiting sites associated with Christian Saints and martyrs, holy relics and to places where there had been apparitions of the Virgin Mary. Pilgrimages were the first holidays enjoyed by Medieval people. Groups of Christians would set off together on a spiritual journey to visit a holy place or shrine where they would pray together.