Spartan Mirage Flashcards
(12 cards)
What does piety refer to in the context of Spartan military behavior?
Not always fighting due to festivals
Reference to “By the Twa Gods” in Aristophanes’ Lysistrata
Which event did the Carneia festival stop Spartans from participating in? [Herodotus]
Battle of Marathon
Possible involvement of a helot revolt according to Aristotle
How did outsiders perceive Spartans according to Thucydides?
“The secrecy with which their affairs are conducted meant that no one knew the numbers of the Spartans”
Quote from Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War, 5.68
What literary work describes Spartans as having “such rippling muscles”?
Lysistrata by Aristophanes
Notable depiction of Spartan physicality
What principle did Spartans follow regarding enemy pursuit? [Plut]
Did not chase fleeing opponents
Strategy benefitting them as enemies were more likely to desert
What noble action is mentioned by Tyrtaeus regarding Spartans in battle?
“It is a noble thing for a man to fall in the front line” [Tyrtaeus 10]
Reflects Spartan ideals of bravery and honor
What does the inscription on the burial mound signify? [Herodotus]
inscription on the burial mound: “Four thousand here from Pelops’ land/ Against three million once did start”
Inscription from Herodotus, Histories, 7.228
What event led to the shattered mirage that Spartans would never surrender? [Thuc]
Invasion of Sphacteria as “The general impression had been that Spartans would never surrender”
Mentioned by Thucydides, 4.40
How did Aristotle describe the impact of Spartan women during invasions?
“Created more panic than the enemy”
Reference from Aristotle, Politics
What is the relationship between helots and the Spartan military?
Slave state needs a strong military
Reflects the necessity of military strength for controlling helots
What does Kritias state about the nature of slavery in Lakedaimon?
“The most enslaved and the most free are in Lakedaimon”
Quote from Kritias, On Slavery, 2.87
According to Thucydides, what was the purpose of most Spartan institutions?
“security against the Helots”
Emphasizes the role of helots in shaping Spartan policies
