Ancient history

Did they have shops or stores in ancient Sparta?

Yes, ancient Sparta had shops and stores. While Sparta was known for its militaristic society and focus on physical training, it did have a market or agora, where goods were bought and sold. Spartan citizens primarily relied on agriculture for sustenance, and the helots, or enslaved population, were responsible for much of the manual labor, including farming and trade.

The agora served as a central gathering place for Spartans and visitors alike, and various goods were available for purchase, such as food items, pottery, textiles, and metalwork. There were individual craftsmen and merchants who set up stalls in the agora, and some specialized shops could also be found.

However, it's worth noting that ancient Sparta had a distinct social structure, and the pursuit of material wealth and luxurious goods was discouraged in favor of military strength and virtue. The idea of amassing personal possessions was considered detrimental to the common good and warrior ethos of Spartan society.

Hence, while shops and stores did exist in ancient Sparta, they played a more modest role compared to other Greek city-states known for their extensive trade and commerce.