Other State's Views of Sparta

Question 1

What did the Corinthians accuse Sparta of being in 432?

Answer 1

Accused Sparta of being slow to act.

Question 2

Why did the Corinthians accuse Sparta in 432 BC?

Answer 2

The reputation could have been gained originally from the Battle of Marathon, where Sparta couldn’t fight due to a religious festival. When it was over, they arrived at Marathon too late.

Question 3

What does Thucydides say about Sparta’s attitude to war?

Answer 3

Thucydides 1.118: Whilst Athens were building their empire, Sparta “for most of the time remained inactive, traditionally slow to go to war”

Question 4

What does Thucydides say about Corinth’ accusation of Sparta in 432 BC?

Answer 4

Thucydides 1.68-71: Corinth blames Sparta for allowing Athens to fortify their city and build the long walls “And it is you who are responsible for all this”

Question 5

Thucydides 1.71: “Your inactivity has done harm enough…”

Answer 5

“Now let there be an end of it”

Question 6

What did Athens know about Sparta?

Answer 6

The Athenians were at least aware that Spartan women trained.