When Eunoians became Spartiates
- ejorigin
- 13 minutes ago
- 10 min read
Written by: Steven (25-A4), Zac (25-I5), Amanda (25-A3; EJC Media), Cherise (25-I5; EJC Media), Kingsley (25-O4; EJC Media), Zulin (25-O6; EJC Media), Jun Onn (25-U4; EJC Media)
Designed by: Steven (25-A4)
The English word “Spartan” is descended from the Latin Spartānus and the Greek Spartiatēs (“Σπαρτιάtης”), referring to a citizen of the ancient Greek city-state of Sparta. A Spartiate was specifically a full citizen, and male Spartiates (for only male Spartiates served as hoplite soldiers) were renowned for their battle prowess.
The nature of the Eunoian is markedly different — the very word Eunoia is derived from the Greek “εὔνοια”, meaning “beautiful thought” and “goodwill to all”. You would think that the kind, gracious Eunoian would be the last person to mimic the brutal, merciless Spartiate. You would think that the way of life of the Spartiate goes against all of the principles held dear by the Eunoian.
Yet, once every year in late January, there comes a day when the Eunoian throws out all notions of ease to embark on a majestic quest for glory — for self, for class, for House and for school. This great quest is called “Spartan”.
The Preparation
As with any great quest it is imperative that one is prepared for it. Just as the Spartiates of ancient Greece were trained relentlessly for battle, so the Eunoians had to be prepared in a similar fashion. After the King of Eunoia struck the gong at a quarter to three and declared the Games open, the Eunoians were immediately sent down so that they could begin their schooling.
For fifty minutes the Eunoians were instructed in various movements that could prove to be of assistance in the later trials. Footwork, boxing strikes and blocks were among the moves taught to them. Naturally, given the intellect and physical prowess they had been blessed with, absorbing and replicating such moves proved no challenge to the Eunoians. For fifty minutes the spartan hall was filled with sweaty bodies, each practising their newly acquired skills, readying themselves to use them in anger when they met on the battlefield.
And when it had been deemed that they were sufficiently prepared to represent their Houses the Eunoians were sent up to the first of two battlegrounds.
The First Trial
After the intense white light of the training hall, the Eunoians found themselves in the Atria which — by comparison — may as well have been shrouded in Stygian darkness. Light still filtered in, but their eyes required a moment to adjust. As they were given the rules for what they were about to undertake, it dawned upon them: the glory and reputations of their respective Houses now rested on their very shoulders.
Before them, spread around the Atria, were five stations where their strength would be tested. The Eunoians, fresh from their training and wanting to prove themselves, eyed the stations eagerly. But first there was the matter of getting to the stations. Between them and the obstacles stood the first trial: a narrow strip of markings on the floor — an agility ladder.
To the vexation of the Eunoians, they were arranged such that one could only make it to the other side by employing a curious pattern of steps. It required utmost care and precision, for if they dislodged any of the markings they would be sent to the very back of the line. Those at the front began scrabbling across, and eventually everyone had made it.
Without pause, the Eunoians turned to the next station and very quickly, a horde began to form behind the line of horizontal bars that awaited them. The files of bodies moved slowly as those at the bars fought against gravity itself to haul themselves up again and again, muscles burning with each repetition. Dozens of eyes bored into them as they struggled to lift themselves up against the cold metal. Indeed, it was a relief when they finished and let go of the bar, for their arms now felt as if they were aflame.
But the relief was short-lived, for immediately after stood the next trial. They were tasked with jumping, with feet together, onto and off a series of large boxes, each at least two feet high. And now it was the turn of their legs to catch fire.
After they had dismounted from the boxes for the last time and trudged across an empty stretch of floor carrying heavy gallons of water, the Eunoians arrived at a series of low hurdles which were separated by wide pits. It was quickly devised by them that the best way forward was to hug the floor as they went under the hurdles and immediately adopt a crouching position in preparation for a standing jump so that they could fly over the abyss. This was repeated several times until they had cleared the obstacle. And while it was effective, it was also thoroughly exhausting and left the Eunoians just enough energy for the last challenge — for now.
This was a challenge that could not be overcome through brute force alone. It necessitated judgement and good aim also, for the Eunoians were now presented with a heavy ball which they had to land within the inner diameter of a tyre about three metres from them. And just doing so once was not enough — it was imperative that they do so as many times as they possibly could.
And finally, when they had completed this task, the Eunoians were allowed to step out of the arena and pause to recover and regain their composure.
The Second Trial
But their reprieve was brief. For as soon as all the Eunoians had completed their target throwing, they were marshalled onward so that they could face the next trial.
There was an obvious, observable truth about the next battleground: it was, quite simply, enormous. A vast field stretched before them, and it was scattered from end to end with a profusion of peculiar obstacles. But most extraordinarily of all, at a corner of the running track was erected a scaffold of metal poles and rope. It stood formidably, towering above the Eunoians, and immediately their attention was drawn to the massive obstacle.
Even as they were directed towards the grandstand, many cast their eyes repeatedly towards the structure. When the nature of the trials was explained, the stands were stirred with low conversation. It had become apparent that the coming ordeal would exact not only strength and endurance, but discipline of character. Any who still harboured reserves would soon be compelled to spend them.
But the Eunoian is a resilient individual. And so, all those present resolved to attack the challenge with all they had. After completing their warm-ups, they gathered on the running track, waiting for the off.
The horn sounded.
Immediately, the Eunoians surged forward as one. Some pressed ahead with urgency while some tempered their pace, mindful of what lay beyond the first stretch. Half a kilometre separated them from the field and the obstacle course, and by the time they reached it the strain had already begun to separate the more athletic Eunoians from the others.
Upon entering the course, the Eunoians were required to lower themselves to the ground and proceed on all fours, their chests facing the sky. They were loaded with weighted balls, and in this posture they advanced, arms and shoulders burning as the ground chafed against their palms. Only after completing the required circuit were they permitted to rise and continue.
They then approached a line of hurdles, which they negotiated in turn, passing over and under them. From there they were directed to a strange arrangement of tables connected by ropes and wooden poles. Once more they dropped onto all fours, this time facing the earth, and crawled beneath the lattice. They were careful not to disturb any of the ropes or poles, for if they did they would be sent back to the beginning of the course.
When they had emerged from the forest of tables, the Eunoians stood up and brushed the dirt off their hands. There was no interval afforded to them. Each was made to take up a heavy ball and carry it between two markers, sinking repeatedly into lunges that sent flames coursing through already aching limbs.
Next they were confronted with a row of tyres. They were lifted and borne to a distant marker, whereupon they ran back to the start. There, ropes were taken up and the tyres hauled back across the grass, their weight making yet another demand upon weary arms and shoulders.
At this stage the Eunoians’ bodies were truly beginning to ache with the exertion. Movements were starting to slow, shoulders sagged, and breath came harder than before. Happily, the following station offered them a brief respite. Narrow benches lay before them, and they were required only to cross them without faltering. Most managed this without incident, though the occasional wavering step or wobble betrayed fatigue. Upon dismounting from the final bench, they moved onward at once.
They were then directed to sit upon the grass with a wooden rod placed under their knees. This obstacle functioned like a pulley system. A rope attached to the rod passed over a horizontal bar, and its far end was secured to a gallon of water. By turning the rod, the Eunoians reeled in the rope, hoisting the weight off the ground. The gallon was not even halfway up to the bar when their arms began to burn again. And after they had completed the task, the rod was released and they stood up again.
Proceeding further, they arrived at a bamboo pole supported by two tripods at either end. Weighted balls were lifted over the pole and dropped on the other side, and this was repeated thrice more. And finally, after they had completed a number of rope skips, the Eunoians were permitted to leave the main obstacle course and re-enter the running track.
But when they had run around the curve, they were met with the largest obstacle yet. The scaffold they had seen upon entering this battleground now loomed before them. As they came up to it, they were able to perceive it in greater detail. The side of the scaffold facing them appeared to be a kind of ladder with the rungs spaced unusually far apart. The ladder was fashioned from the same metal poles which comprised the primary frame of the structure, whereas thick rope netting stretched across its summit and descended the far side.
The Eunoians were instructed to climb up the ladder and they did so, gripping the metal rungs tightly. Each move required careful balance and great strength. Upon reaching the top of the ladder they grasped the netting and hauled themselves onto it, crawling across its slack expanse before descending at the far side. It was not easy; the ropes abraded their palms and knees, and occasionally someone’s leg would slip through the rungs or the netting. They would break out in cold sweat and perhaps panic momentarily, but all who attempted the obstacle eventually prevailed.
There were also a number of Eunoians who, observing the growing queue at the base of the scaffold, opted for a different tactic: running ahead to perform a number of squat thrusts with additional jumps between repetitions. For some, the gamble paid off and they gained time, but the exercise was a tiring one and so others bled time away to their rivals. Regardless of strategy, however, all the Eunoians pressed on, undeterred, as they crossed the start line once more to embark on another gruelling round of The Trial.
The Wave Relay
For some time now the Eunoians had been spending enormous amounts of energy at the various battlefields. They had been trained in combat moves, completed various exercises and run long distances. Their legs burned, their abdominals ached and their arms were crying for mercy. So in general it was a great relief when the horn sounded again to signal the conclusion of the obstacle course component.
The Eunoians walked back to the grandstand. Some of them, painfully close to completing another round, punched the air in frustration. But most of the Eunoians were thankful that it had ended. For most of them would now take on the role of spectators for the last part of Spartan.
While the bulk of the population settled into the grandstand seats, hydrating themselves and wiping perspiration from their foreheads, small teams of Eunoians assembled at the field. There were five teams, one for each House. They were composed of four individuals from each class — two male and two female — alongside four teachers, whose presence lent both experience and gravitas to the contest.
The teams organised themselves into neat little rows. Before them was a long wooden pole and further beyond was a series of markers. Each foursome would have to carry the pole to the markers, pivot around them, move on to the next one, and when there were no markers remaining, dash back towards their team, whereupon they would pass the pole beneath the feet of their teammates as they jumped over it and then over their heads as they crouched down. Then — and the pole would now be back at the front of the line — the next group of four would take the pole and repeat the process as quickly as they possibly could.
Then the horn blared again, and the field broke out in chaos. Each individual on the field pushed themselves hard, draining all their reserves of energy. The grandstand erupted in cheers as those seated rooted passionately for their Houses, willing them on from behind.
It certainly made for a curious spectacle — rows of Eunoians, dressed in their House colours, moving a wooden pole along about the field, pivoting about various points all while running like the hounds of Hell. There was the occasional drop and slip of the pole as someone in the row fell behind then caught up again, and a few shins were struck by the pole as it swept under the formations. One of the teams even lost its way briefly. But soon enough, all the teams had completed the relay and were sat on the field, awaiting the results. And they were met with cheers from behind.
Eunoia
The word Eunoia is derived from the Greek “εὔνοια”, meaning “beautiful thought” and “goodwill to all”. And throughout the Spartan event, it was clearer to see than ever. For the Eunoians did not lose themselves in the heat of the competition. They did not throw aside all notions of civility to maximise their competitive advantage.
For even amidst their quest for greatness, and even though they sought to emulate the Spartiates, they did not abandon their principles. They exhibited an extraordinary ability to show kindness and graciousness — whether towards their fellow competitors or those behind the event — even amidst the ferocity of the battles and the intense pressure to secure glory. They exhibited beautiful thinking and goodwill to all. And thus is the nature of the Eunoian beheld.
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