At the age of 7, Spartan boys were removed from their parents' homes and began the “agoge,” a state-sponsored training regimen designed to mold them into skilled warriors and moral citizens.

What training did the Spartans do?

They were taught boxing, swimming, wrestling, javelin-throwing, and discus-throwing. They were trained to harden themselves to the elements. At the age of 18, Spartan boys had to go out into the world and steal their food. ... At age 30, they became full citizens of Sparta, provided they had served honorably.

Did Spartans really throw babies off cliffs?

The Greek myth that ancient Spartans threw their stunted and sickly newborns off a cliff was not corroborated by archaeological digs in the area, researchers said Monday. ... “It is probably a myth, the ancient sources of this so-called practice were rare, late and imprecise,” he added.