 They were selected every year by specially commissioned officials, the "hippagretai", from among experienced men who had sons, so that their line would continue.At first, in the archaic period of 700–600 BC, education for both sexes was, as in most Greek states, centred on the arts, with the male citizen population later receiving military education.However, from the 6th century onwards, the military character of the state became more pronounced, and education was totally subordinated to the needs of the military.