Oliganthropia Flashcards
(18 cards)
Who first coined the Spartan Mirage?
The Spartan Mirage was a term by Francois Ollier in 1930s to explain the idealised image of Sparta as a model of virtue, discipline and simplicity.
According to Herodotus how many Spartans does Demeratus say there are?
8000
Referenced in Herodotus, Histories, 7.234
What does Aristotle state about Sparta’s destruction?
Sparta “was destroyed through its oliganthropia”
Referenced in Aristotle, Politics
What action did the Spartans take regarding the Athenians after the earthquake? [Thuc]
Sent them home due to fear of revolutionary ideas
Referenced in Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War, 1.102
What does Thucydides say about the secrecy of Spartan affairs?
“No one knew the numbers of the Spartans”
Referenced in Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War, 5.68
How did oliganthropia influence Spartan military action? [Thuc]
“relying for your defence not on action but on making people think that you will act”
Referenced in Thucydides
What was the reason Brasidas was denied extra troops after taking Amphipolis? [Thuc]
“because what they really wanted was to recover the prisoners made on the island and end the war”
Referenced in Thucydides
Who died at Amphipolis, clearing the way for peace? [Thuc]
Cleon and Brasidas
Referenced in Thucydides
What percentage of land is owned by women in Sparta according to Aristotle?
“Almost two-fifths of the land is owned by women”
Referenced in Aristotle, Politics, Book 2
What was the ancient mark of citizenship in Sparta? [Aristotle]
Anyone who cannot pay this tax [resources] cannot belong”
Referenced in Aristotle, Politics, Book 2
How many Lakedaimonians died due to the 464 BC earthquake? [Diodoros Siculus]
“More than twenty thousand”
Diodorus Siculus’ dates and numbers are not really reliable
What was the composition of the Spartan army at Platea? [Herodotus]
5000 Spartans and 35,000 helots
Referenced in Herodotus, 9.28
Why were Spartans glad to send helots out of the country? [Thuc]
“They feared a revolution”
Referenced in Thucydides, 4.80
What does Thucydides say about the Brasidas’ army?
“The rest of his army were mercenaries”
Referenced in Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War, 4.81
What happened to the Helots who fought with Brasidas? [Thuc]
They were given their freedom
Referenced in Thucydides, 5.34
What was the Spartans’ perspective on war according to Plutarch?
“War brought relief from their training for war”
Referenced in Plutarch, Lykourgos, 22
Why did Spartans ask the Athenians for help after the earthquake? [Thuc]
Due to Athenian reputation for siege warfare and potentially the loss of manpower
Referenced in Thucydides
What was the outcome of the deaths of Cleon and Brasidas at Amphipolis? [Thuc]
Sue for peace due to Helot threat?: Cleon and Brasidas died at Amphipolis “the two people who on each side had been most opposed to peace” [Thucydides, 5.16]
Referenced in Thucydides, 5.16
