Did people in Sparta learn to read and write?

While Spartan education heavily emphasized military training and physical prowess, it's inaccurate to say Spartans *didn't* learn to read and write. They did, but literacy was not as widespread or emphasized as it was in other Greek city-states like Athens.

Spartan boys received some basic education in reading and writing, enough to manage basic administrative tasks and potentially interpret military orders and messages. However, the focus was almost entirely on physical and military training. The ability to read and write wasn't deemed as crucial to their societal ideals as warrior skills.

Therefore, while literacy existed in Sparta, it was far less prevalent and less valued than in other parts of ancient Greece.