Other States' views of Sparta and the Effect of the Spartan System on its Policy Flashcards
What differences were the Athenians aware of as written by Aristophanes in Lysistrata?
Aware that the Spartan women trained and of Spartan religious festivals. Including those at which women and girls danced.
What differences were the Athenians aware of as written by Thucydides (THotPW)?
The nature of the city of Sparta. Refer to THotPW 1.10 (LACTOR G2) ‘For example, if the city of the Lakedaimonians were to be destroyed and abandoned, and all that was left were its temples and the foundations of its buildings, I suspect that future generations would find it impossible to believe historians’ accounts of its present power// … because it lacks the conventional layout of a modern city, has no temples or extravagant public buildings, and is simply a collection of villages typical of ancient Greek society.’
What was typical of Spartan foreign policy, as noted by Thucydides in his account of the Helot revolt 464 BC?
A wariness and suspicion of outsiders.
Where else was Spartan suspicion of outsiders displayed?
(Plutarch, Sayings of the Spartans) ‘Someone enquired how many Lakedaimonians there were. He replied, “Enough to keep wrong-doers away” ‘
Thucydides writes a transcription of a speech given by Pericles to the Athenian assembly, what does he note him as saying in regards to Spartan foreign policy?
‘… if the Spartans excuse both ourselves and our allies from their expulsions of foreigners.’ (THofPW, 1.144.2)
Which writer supports Thucydides’ general account of Spartan foreign policy? why is this important?
Xenophon (Constitution of the Spartans 14.4, LACTOR 21, E70). Xenophon, exiled from Athens, lived in service to the Spartans.
What was written/thought by Greek city-states on Sparta’s military policy?
- Corinth accused the Spartans of being slow to act,
- This reputation could have been earned through a perceived slowness to act in response to the Persians, e.g. Marathon,
- Additionally, at Thermopylae 480 BC Spartans only sent 300 men and Leonidas, and common Peloponnesian sentiment after was to not advance past the Isthmus,
- Thucydides ‘… The Spartans … were of old not swift to go to war, unless compelled to…’ (THotPW 1.118).
What did the Spartans achieve in the 7th century BC? What did they keen to do after this victory?
Conquered Messenia. Sparta wanted to ensure, here after, that nothing could threaten their position.
Who did Sparta intervene of the behalf of in the 6th century BC?
Intervened and allied with Elis against Pisa over their contested claim of the olympic games and Olympia.
Who were the main threats to Sparta in the 7-6 century BC period?
Tegea immediately to their north, who had assisted the Messenians in their revolt from Sparta in the mid seventh century, and Argos.
When did Sparta defeat Tegea, and what did they decide to do? What was this the basis of?
Sparta defeated Tegea around 550BC. Potentially they saw Tegea’s people of making too internally dangerous Helots and thus opted for a military alliance. Along with the alliance with Elis, this was the basis of what is now know as the Peloponnesian league.
What happened in 544 BC? What did this result in? What did this mean by 500BC?
Sparta won a costly victory against Argos. Other Peloponnesian states here decided to form alliances with Sparta, this included the northern states of Corinth and Sikyon. By 500 BC, Sparta was the most powerful state in Greece, hence why they were the natural choice for military leadership in Xerxes’ invasion 480 BC.
For what reason is it commonly believed that Sparta formed their powerful series of alliances? and what did they have to balance this against?
To have aid in the case of Helot revolt. The wishes of their allies.
