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Εις το όνομα του Λυκούργου: Το επαναστατικό σπαρτιατικό κίνημα και η τελευταία αναλαμπή της Σπάρτης
Στα μέσα του 3ου π.Χ. αιώνα η Σπάρτη ήταν σκιά του παλιού εαυτού της. Αποδυναμωμένη πολιτικά και στρατιωτικά και με τεράστια κοινωνικά προβλήματα στο εσωτερικό της, φαινόταν να έχει τεθεί μαζί με τις περισσότερες πόλεις-κράτη στο περιθώριο των πολιτικών εξελίξεων της εποχής της. Μιας εποχής όπου κυριαρχούσαν οι μεγάλοι κρατικοί σχηματισμοί και οι ελληνιστικές αυτοκρατορίες. Όμως αντίθετα με τις άλλες πόλεις-κράτη, οι οποίες συμβιβάστηκαν με τα νέα πολιτικά δεδομένα της εποχής τους, η Σπάρτη αντιτάχθηκε με πείσμα, επιδιώκοντας μάλιστα να ανακτήσει την ηγεμονία στη νότια Ελλάδα.
Στον αγώνα αυτόν η Σπάρτη επέδειξε πρωτοφανή ζωτικότητα και σθένος, αψηφώντας μάλιστα μια από τις ισχυρότερες δυνάμεις της εποχής, τη Μακεδονία. Επρόκειτο για μια άνιση σύγκρουση η οποία κορυφώθηκε με τραγικό και οδυνηρό για τη Σπάρτη τρόπο στη μάχη της Σελλασίας (222 π.Χ.). Όμως η Σπάρτη παρέμεινε ασυμβίβαστη. Σύντομα πέτυχε να ανακάμψει και να πρωταγωνιστήσει ξανά και με αξιώσεις στην διεθνή πολιτική σκηνή, μη διστάζοντας αυτή τη φορά να αναμετρηθεί με τη μεγαλύτερη δύναμη του αρχαίου κόσμου, τη Ρώμη.
Η αναπάντεχη ισχυροποίηση της Σπάρτης οφειλόταν σε μια σειρά ριζοσπαστικών πολιτικών και κοινωνικών μεταρρυθμίσεων, τις οποίες επέβαλαν στην πόλη οι τελευταίοι μεγάλοι ηγέτες της. Επρόκειτο ουσιαστικά για ένα επαναστατικό κίνημα που ξεπήδησε μέσα από τους κόλπους των παραδόσεων της Σπάρτης, επηρεάστηκε από αυτές και με τη σειρά του ύφανε τον θρύλο της Σπάρτης για τους επόμενους αιώνες - αυτόν που οι σύγχρονοι μελετητές αποκαλούν σπαρτιατική χίμαιρα.
Αυτή η τελευταία αναλαμπή της Σπάρτης, το επαναστατικό κίνημα που την προκάλεσε και οι δύο τελευταίες κρίσιμες καμπές στην ιστορία της (μάχη της Σελλασίας και πολιορκία της Σπάρτης από τους Ρωμαίους) εξετάζονται αναλυτικά σε αυτή την μελέτη, με εξαντλητική επεξεργασία των πηγών και ιδιαίτερη έμφαση στις στρατιωτικές πτυχές αυτής της επικής αναμέτρησης.
Στον αγώνα αυτόν η Σπάρτη επέδειξε πρωτοφανή ζωτικότητα και σθένος, αψηφώντας μάλιστα μια από τις ισχυρότερες δυνάμεις της εποχής, τη Μακεδονία. Επρόκειτο για μια άνιση σύγκρουση η οποία κορυφώθηκε με τραγικό και οδυνηρό για τη Σπάρτη τρόπο στη μάχη της Σελλασίας (222 π.Χ.). Όμως η Σπάρτη παρέμεινε ασυμβίβαστη. Σύντομα πέτυχε να ανακάμψει και να πρωταγωνιστήσει ξανά και με αξιώσεις στην διεθνή πολιτική σκηνή, μη διστάζοντας αυτή τη φορά να αναμετρηθεί με τη μεγαλύτερη δύναμη του αρχαίου κόσμου, τη Ρώμη.
Η αναπάντεχη ισχυροποίηση της Σπάρτης οφειλόταν σε μια σειρά ριζοσπαστικών πολιτικών και κοινωνικών μεταρρυθμίσεων, τις οποίες επέβαλαν στην πόλη οι τελευταίοι μεγάλοι ηγέτες της. Επρόκειτο ουσιαστικά για ένα επαναστατικό κίνημα που ξεπήδησε μέσα από τους κόλπους των παραδόσεων της Σπάρτης, επηρεάστηκε από αυτές και με τη σειρά του ύφανε τον θρύλο της Σπάρτης για τους επόμενους αιώνες - αυτόν που οι σύγχρονοι μελετητές αποκαλούν σπαρτιατική χίμαιρα.
Αυτή η τελευταία αναλαμπή της Σπάρτης, το επαναστατικό κίνημα που την προκάλεσε και οι δύο τελευταίες κρίσιμες καμπές στην ιστορία της (μάχη της Σελλασίας και πολιορκία της Σπάρτης από τους Ρωμαίους) εξετάζονται αναλυτικά σε αυτή την μελέτη, με εξαντλητική επεξεργασία των πηγών και ιδιαίτερη έμφαση στις στρατιωτικές πτυχές αυτής της επικής αναμέτρησης.
- GenresHistory
376 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 8, 2017
More like 4.5. It was refreshing to read something on Sparta which was not centered on what I'd term "Classical Sparta"--the Sparta of the Greco-Persian and Peloponnesian Wars--of Leonidas, Brasidas, or Gylippos. This book covered a later period, 243-146 BC, what the author calls the Spartan Revolution, a period of intense radical reform, in which the name of Lycurgus, the legendary lawgiver, was invoked but in pursuing debt cancellation and re-allotment of land, the kings Agis, Kleomenes and the tyrant Nabis eventually gutted Lykourgan laws by changing or eliminating those and other Lykourgan institutions. What was retained was a pale shadow of what had been. The book traced the long history of Sparta's decline as a power, beginning with her defeat at Leuctra by Thebes, through various wars and upheavals, and ending with her conquest by Rome in 146 BC. Under Rome, Sparta became a showcase for tourists, a "living museum", or Theme Park, as it were. Affluent Romans would visit Athens for culture and Sparta to view the vestiges of an eccentric society. They delighted in the extreme cruelty of two rites of passage for adolescent males to the status of young men.
The copious notes and maps and illustrations were invaluable. The history was impeccable, judging by the exhaustive bibliography. This book was fascinating, readable, and fairly easy to understand for non-Greeks. The translation was excellent. Highly recommended.
The copious notes and maps and illustrations were invaluable. The history was impeccable, judging by the exhaustive bibliography. This book was fascinating, readable, and fairly easy to understand for non-Greeks. The translation was excellent. Highly recommended.
January 22, 2020
By far, and not in small degree due to the absurdly popular movie 300, is classic Sparta a go to concept, place and idea that most if not all people will think off when you mention ancient Greece to them. Sure Athens will not be far behind and maybe Aristotle or Plato will be name-dropped but Sparta truly outlasts them all. That is not unsurprising considering how many time 18th century enlightenment thinkers, 19th century romanticists and 20 th century (radical) nationalist have been fascinated by Sparta. How can you not? After all even in its day it was an oddity that fascinated philosophers and the few travellers that got lucky to be invited to visit.
Because of all that we need good academic books to question the assumptions, to steer us clear from the myths and that force us to reconsider that which is known, Miltiadis Michalopoulos’s book does that and does it astoundingly well. A well written, accessible yet highly informative book, Mitiadis is not afraid to take a position either! This is something that more scholars should do, to take a position in the historiographic debate but to do so openly, to use the book as an invitation for a debate both with the historical narrative sources and later/modern theories. This is in my opinion the best way to take an audience on that voyage to another country that is the past. The best way to incite reflection is by giving them something tangible to reflect about.
What is that exactly? Well this book does not tangle all of Sparta’s history but from the middle of the third century until the Roman period under Hadrian. This is after the death of Alexander and the dust has settled from the calamitous wars of his generals whose sons continued warring albeit on a lower scale. For Sparta these were grim times, after their humiliation at the hand of Alexander’s father and the Thebans before that, the city had become content to be even more isolationist the before. Inequality gripped society not between Spartans, Helots and Perioikic as had always been the case but Sparta had grown an elite that scuffed at the idea of modesty and rustic taste that supposedly been the Spartan way. But did it have to be like this? Was this truly living up to the ideals set by the original lawmaker, Spartans Solon, Lykourgos? Three Kings thought otherwise, Miltiadis goes to great lengths to analyse and contextualise the attempts of kings agis, Kleomenes III and Nabis to regain and perhaps even go beyond the historical power and influence of Sparta by invoking the name of Lykourgos to legitimise their reforms and paradoxical heterodox ideas. As said Miltiadis does not merely accounts the historical sources but gives his arguments to why these three kings failed and how their reforms held up to their claims to be acting in the spirit of Lykourgos. It turns up several big questions throughout and surprised me to learn that for a brief time the poor and common folk of the Peleponessos viewed the Spartans as social liberators due to their kings advocating equality, debt cancellation and land distribution; the extent to whom these policies should be applied would be the crucial factor in their success according to Miltiadis.
The book does demand some existing knowledge from its readers; even if he does outlines the late 3th century Hellenistic context it does help a reader if they have some more then basic knowledge of the mayor regional players of the time. For that which is the biggest strongpoint of this book is it dedication to tell the story and the age from Sparta’s point of view. For even if, according to his own opinion, Sparta had little chance to become more then a local actor in an age dominated by large empires and confederations, it does not mean that we should dismiss it. Its ambitions might have turned to dust but that is perfect hindsight talking and learns you nothing. I do wish however for two little extra things; first the inclusion of drawings. I mean yes I have a few ideas of late classic Hellenistic battle formations and equipment but it could not have hurt to have a comparison between the classic Spartan hoplite and the latter Kleomenes III innovation to adapt a more Macedonion like style of formation. Secondly I would have like some numbers and educated guesses on the number of inhabitants of all the cities mentioned. It is difficult to really grasp the impact of Sparta losing an army of 6000 if you don’t know how many inhabitants it had nor the achievements of their kings when they captured several towns to the amazement, annoyance or fury of the enemies, again the number of inhabitants would have helped in this regard.
As informative as the book is and and entertaining read, it’s biggest accomplishment to me is the final chapter, not only does that include the arguably sad ending of Sparta as a living museum and perhaps first tourist trap living a semi staged Spartan life for the entertainment of the roman elites, the book ends on a provocative note. What if the Spartan ideal never really existed? What if, Miltiadis argues, that the ideal society that the three kings were supposedly trying to bring back, was at least for a sizeable part only the image they had constructed? What if their biggest long term impact was exactly their politicised memory of what a Spartan should be? I can’t help but compare then these three and third century bc Sparta to so many other political movements that strove to return to the good old days, that are conspicuously utopian and free of exactly the social ills that are gripping the present. Make Sparta great again? I am similary remined of radical progressive movements such as the Bolivarian movement in Venezuela that consistently linked their policies to the supposedly original ideals of Simon Bolivar who had founded Venezuela even if, like the Spartan case, one has to wonder to what extent that makes any sense as the goals and methods used become more radical and progressive. In this sense, this Spartan revolutionary movement can be used as a mirror for both right wing and leftwing contemporary usage of ideal past for legitimizing a new future.
In the end I can only confirm that this is a true gem in non fiction, a book that should interest all who are interested in the time period and location and in particular those who wonder about what happened after Alexander the great had sent his ultimatum and threats if he would defeat them to Spartans and who had replied with one word “if”.
Because of all that we need good academic books to question the assumptions, to steer us clear from the myths and that force us to reconsider that which is known, Miltiadis Michalopoulos’s book does that and does it astoundingly well. A well written, accessible yet highly informative book, Mitiadis is not afraid to take a position either! This is something that more scholars should do, to take a position in the historiographic debate but to do so openly, to use the book as an invitation for a debate both with the historical narrative sources and later/modern theories. This is in my opinion the best way to take an audience on that voyage to another country that is the past. The best way to incite reflection is by giving them something tangible to reflect about.
What is that exactly? Well this book does not tangle all of Sparta’s history but from the middle of the third century until the Roman period under Hadrian. This is after the death of Alexander and the dust has settled from the calamitous wars of his generals whose sons continued warring albeit on a lower scale. For Sparta these were grim times, after their humiliation at the hand of Alexander’s father and the Thebans before that, the city had become content to be even more isolationist the before. Inequality gripped society not between Spartans, Helots and Perioikic as had always been the case but Sparta had grown an elite that scuffed at the idea of modesty and rustic taste that supposedly been the Spartan way. But did it have to be like this? Was this truly living up to the ideals set by the original lawmaker, Spartans Solon, Lykourgos? Three Kings thought otherwise, Miltiadis goes to great lengths to analyse and contextualise the attempts of kings agis, Kleomenes III and Nabis to regain and perhaps even go beyond the historical power and influence of Sparta by invoking the name of Lykourgos to legitimise their reforms and paradoxical heterodox ideas. As said Miltiadis does not merely accounts the historical sources but gives his arguments to why these three kings failed and how their reforms held up to their claims to be acting in the spirit of Lykourgos. It turns up several big questions throughout and surprised me to learn that for a brief time the poor and common folk of the Peleponessos viewed the Spartans as social liberators due to their kings advocating equality, debt cancellation and land distribution; the extent to whom these policies should be applied would be the crucial factor in their success according to Miltiadis.
The book does demand some existing knowledge from its readers; even if he does outlines the late 3th century Hellenistic context it does help a reader if they have some more then basic knowledge of the mayor regional players of the time. For that which is the biggest strongpoint of this book is it dedication to tell the story and the age from Sparta’s point of view. For even if, according to his own opinion, Sparta had little chance to become more then a local actor in an age dominated by large empires and confederations, it does not mean that we should dismiss it. Its ambitions might have turned to dust but that is perfect hindsight talking and learns you nothing. I do wish however for two little extra things; first the inclusion of drawings. I mean yes I have a few ideas of late classic Hellenistic battle formations and equipment but it could not have hurt to have a comparison between the classic Spartan hoplite and the latter Kleomenes III innovation to adapt a more Macedonion like style of formation. Secondly I would have like some numbers and educated guesses on the number of inhabitants of all the cities mentioned. It is difficult to really grasp the impact of Sparta losing an army of 6000 if you don’t know how many inhabitants it had nor the achievements of their kings when they captured several towns to the amazement, annoyance or fury of the enemies, again the number of inhabitants would have helped in this regard.
As informative as the book is and and entertaining read, it’s biggest accomplishment to me is the final chapter, not only does that include the arguably sad ending of Sparta as a living museum and perhaps first tourist trap living a semi staged Spartan life for the entertainment of the roman elites, the book ends on a provocative note. What if the Spartan ideal never really existed? What if, Miltiadis argues, that the ideal society that the three kings were supposedly trying to bring back, was at least for a sizeable part only the image they had constructed? What if their biggest long term impact was exactly their politicised memory of what a Spartan should be? I can’t help but compare then these three and third century bc Sparta to so many other political movements that strove to return to the good old days, that are conspicuously utopian and free of exactly the social ills that are gripping the present. Make Sparta great again? I am similary remined of radical progressive movements such as the Bolivarian movement in Venezuela that consistently linked their policies to the supposedly original ideals of Simon Bolivar who had founded Venezuela even if, like the Spartan case, one has to wonder to what extent that makes any sense as the goals and methods used become more radical and progressive. In this sense, this Spartan revolutionary movement can be used as a mirror for both right wing and leftwing contemporary usage of ideal past for legitimizing a new future.
In the end I can only confirm that this is a true gem in non fiction, a book that should interest all who are interested in the time period and location and in particular those who wonder about what happened after Alexander the great had sent his ultimatum and threats if he would defeat them to Spartans and who had replied with one word “if”.
April 7, 2019
This is an excellent book for both those familiar with the history of Sparta and those coming new to the field. It is readable and approachable but also scholarly, reflecting the latest research on the subject, The engrossing story it tells is of the various attempt to revive Sparta's power in the third century BC, focusing in the main on three of its last kings, Agis IV, Kleomenes and Nabis. It is warmly recommended to anybody interested in the history of the period.
The power of Sparta reached its apogee with its victory over Athens in the Peloponnesian War of 431–404 BC. In the long term, as the author aptly notes, this, however, ‘proved as disastrous for the winner, Sparta, as to her defeated rival, Athens.’ This period of Spartan superiority came to a close with the defeat at the hands of the Thebans in the battle of Leuktra in 371 BC. Afterwards, the Spartan polity and the system of vigorous military training and male communal living, upon which the city-state’s power had rested and which was credited to Lykourgos, gradually ossified. Yet, memories of this illustrious past remained and from 243 BC onwards they were to be assiduously cultivated by a succession of rulers, as in the name of Lykourgos they attempted to revive the fortunes of Sparta. These later rulers, however, were operating in an environment in which they not only faced rivals within the Peloponnese, such as the Archean League, but also the military might of the Macedonian and Roman empires. They were to eventually lose the unequal struggle with these powers but not before Sparta for a brief period had once more become the dominant force in this part of Greece. Indeed, the story of Sparta during this period, as the author notes, can also be seen as the last flowering of the Greek city-state.
By the mid-third century BC, power within the Spartan polity had become concentrated within the hands of a few powerful landowners. Indeed, the citizen body, which provided the bulk of the fighting troops for the army, for a variety of reasons had shrunk to such an extent that it amounted to little more than seven hundred. To revive the fortunes of Sparta the new leaders needed to increase the number of citizens. In order to achieve this they experimented with two revolutionary strategies. The first involved the cancelling of debts, so that impoverished Spartans outside the ruling elite could once more fully participate in civic life. The second was to redistribute land to those who did not hold it so they could claim citizenship rights. Closely associated and providing legitimacy for these strategies they also sought to reconstitute what were held to be the bedrocks of the Lykourgian system, namely the youth training system (agoge) and the communal mess halls where the men dined together (syssitia), although, as the author suggests, these institutions tended to be reinterpreted as required by rulers over the years. Indeed, in his appraisal of Nabis the author suggests that with his radical redistribution of land, even giving some to the previously enslaved helots, and establishment of a diversified commercial economy with the wide circulation of money, he effectively broke with the tenets of the Lykourgian system but, as he notes, ‘detaching herself from her past was the price Sparta had to pay in order to ensure her strength.’
In telling his fascinating story the author weaves a deft path through the sources. Indeed, one of the great strengths of this book is the balance he brings to his appraisal of each ruler. Our understanding of Kleomenes has long been coloured by the rosy account of Phylarchos contained in Plutarch and Nabis by the jaundiced account of Polybios, who hailed from Sparta’s enemy, Megalopolis, and represented the ruling class whom Nabis threatened. In this book the author gives each ruler the attention they deserve, especially Nabis, although he does not disagree with Polybios in seeing him as a tyrant. Based on his close reading of the sources and his knowledge of the topography of the region the author also gives an authoritative account of the various military campaigns and troop deployments at the different battles, especially Sellasia. Indeed, one of the great strengths of this work is the author’s understanding of military tactics and his first hand knowledge of the terrain on which the battles were fought.
This book follows other authors in suggesting that the Spartan revival was to a large extent founded on a mirage. However, it was a mirage or myth which was extremely powerful, because what comes over so powerfully in this work is how the Spartan kings of this period were still able to invoke the Spartan military tradition to mobilise considerable armies. Time after time, Spartans marched to war even though they were often seriously outnumbered. The Spartan mirage had (and still has) a tremendous appeal and the main body of the book finishes with a fascinating exploration of how the city became an effective theme park for Roman tourists.
The book closes with four informative appendices on topics such as military roads and the Battle of Sellasia. The endnotes are exceptionally detailed and informative, fully displaying the scholarship which lies behind the book. They will be invaluable to those who require a deeper knowledge of some of the topics.
The power of Sparta reached its apogee with its victory over Athens in the Peloponnesian War of 431–404 BC. In the long term, as the author aptly notes, this, however, ‘proved as disastrous for the winner, Sparta, as to her defeated rival, Athens.’ This period of Spartan superiority came to a close with the defeat at the hands of the Thebans in the battle of Leuktra in 371 BC. Afterwards, the Spartan polity and the system of vigorous military training and male communal living, upon which the city-state’s power had rested and which was credited to Lykourgos, gradually ossified. Yet, memories of this illustrious past remained and from 243 BC onwards they were to be assiduously cultivated by a succession of rulers, as in the name of Lykourgos they attempted to revive the fortunes of Sparta. These later rulers, however, were operating in an environment in which they not only faced rivals within the Peloponnese, such as the Archean League, but also the military might of the Macedonian and Roman empires. They were to eventually lose the unequal struggle with these powers but not before Sparta for a brief period had once more become the dominant force in this part of Greece. Indeed, the story of Sparta during this period, as the author notes, can also be seen as the last flowering of the Greek city-state.
By the mid-third century BC, power within the Spartan polity had become concentrated within the hands of a few powerful landowners. Indeed, the citizen body, which provided the bulk of the fighting troops for the army, for a variety of reasons had shrunk to such an extent that it amounted to little more than seven hundred. To revive the fortunes of Sparta the new leaders needed to increase the number of citizens. In order to achieve this they experimented with two revolutionary strategies. The first involved the cancelling of debts, so that impoverished Spartans outside the ruling elite could once more fully participate in civic life. The second was to redistribute land to those who did not hold it so they could claim citizenship rights. Closely associated and providing legitimacy for these strategies they also sought to reconstitute what were held to be the bedrocks of the Lykourgian system, namely the youth training system (agoge) and the communal mess halls where the men dined together (syssitia), although, as the author suggests, these institutions tended to be reinterpreted as required by rulers over the years. Indeed, in his appraisal of Nabis the author suggests that with his radical redistribution of land, even giving some to the previously enslaved helots, and establishment of a diversified commercial economy with the wide circulation of money, he effectively broke with the tenets of the Lykourgian system but, as he notes, ‘detaching herself from her past was the price Sparta had to pay in order to ensure her strength.’
In telling his fascinating story the author weaves a deft path through the sources. Indeed, one of the great strengths of this book is the balance he brings to his appraisal of each ruler. Our understanding of Kleomenes has long been coloured by the rosy account of Phylarchos contained in Plutarch and Nabis by the jaundiced account of Polybios, who hailed from Sparta’s enemy, Megalopolis, and represented the ruling class whom Nabis threatened. In this book the author gives each ruler the attention they deserve, especially Nabis, although he does not disagree with Polybios in seeing him as a tyrant. Based on his close reading of the sources and his knowledge of the topography of the region the author also gives an authoritative account of the various military campaigns and troop deployments at the different battles, especially Sellasia. Indeed, one of the great strengths of this work is the author’s understanding of military tactics and his first hand knowledge of the terrain on which the battles were fought.
This book follows other authors in suggesting that the Spartan revival was to a large extent founded on a mirage. However, it was a mirage or myth which was extremely powerful, because what comes over so powerfully in this work is how the Spartan kings of this period were still able to invoke the Spartan military tradition to mobilise considerable armies. Time after time, Spartans marched to war even though they were often seriously outnumbered. The Spartan mirage had (and still has) a tremendous appeal and the main body of the book finishes with a fascinating exploration of how the city became an effective theme park for Roman tourists.
The book closes with four informative appendices on topics such as military roads and the Battle of Sellasia. The endnotes are exceptionally detailed and informative, fully displaying the scholarship which lies behind the book. They will be invaluable to those who require a deeper knowledge of some of the topics.
April 17, 2023
I remember asking my university lecturer, 'What exactly happened to Sparta after the death of Alexander and the rise of the Hellenistic Kingdoms? You don't hear much about them but they did remain independent'. His reply was very anti-climatical, and as demonstrated by Michalopoulos' literary review, very much in keeping with the trend of the time; 'They were still there. They fought a few wars to try and regain their power but these were very small scale. They we just clinging on to their past and couldn't really accept that their heyday was gone'. It seemed like a very sad and underwhelming end for one of the most renown warrior societies of the ancient world. The mighty Spartans designated as little more than a squabbling nuisance at the corner of the Greek world. But as 'In the name of Lykourgos' demonstrates, the period 250BC-188BC was anything other than a trivial footnote of history, but rather embodied one final burst of energy from a determined Spartan State and society to redefine itself and reverse its place in its contemporary world from nuisance to leader.
'In the name of Lykourgos' covers the period known today as the Spartan Revolutionary Movement which lasted from about 250BC-c192BC. It was an attempt by Spartan Kings and their followers to reverse the decline of their city by the 'restoration' of ancient Spartan Laws, the laws of Lykourgos, which they believed had been the source of Sparta's historic success and whose violation and degradation had been the cause of her decline. The primary movers of these reforms were Kings Agis, Kleomenes and Nabis, all of whom claimed to be restoring Sparta's ancient laws in the name of the mythic lawgiver Lykourgos. Common features included the revival of the agoge and syssitia and most importantly the redistribution of land allotments to Spartan Citizens in order to provide the the warriors for the Spartan army, while the Citizenship was extended to Perioikoi and some Helots in order to replenish the citizen body.
While the pursuit of the restoration of Sparta and the Spartan movement as a whole comes across to the reader as a noble cause which one can't help but admire, the author does an excellent job at demonstrating that, while noble in essence, the practice and the outcomes were a nightmare. This burst of activity on the part of the Spartans and especially their Kings would lead to short term success as Spartan power was amazingly and briefly restored, only to be completely shattered afterwards with devastating effects for the city. The Battle of Sellasia is given a great deal of treatment and very much marks the beginning of the end for Sparta, though she would trundle on and regain some power in the future, the effects of the battle on the citizen body were cataclysmic and irreversible. The ideal of the noble cause is also tinged heavily with reality, and the reader must feel a certain antipathy towards the Spartan leaders, who in their pursuit of a revived Sparta caused the deaths of so many thousands of her citizens, and citizens of the Peloponnese, as well as the destruction of many ancient institutions of Sparta in order to clear the way for their own political agenda and 'restoration' of her ancient laws that they so wilfully desecrated.
The lasting memory and influence of the Spartan Revolutionary Movement is also discussed. Like the influence of the movie 300 has on the common perception of what a Spartan is/was, the author heighlights the degree to which this movement to create an 'ideal Sparta' had on ancient writers and even on Spartan society itself. In their attempt to 'restore the ancient laws' the Spartan leaders were chasing a fantasy, even destroying societal structures which had been central to the Spartan polity for generations in order to achieve their reforms. This undermining of historical institutions combined with each king restoring what he regarded as the laws of Lykougos, no doubt coupled with the deaths in war and the replenishment of the citizen body with non-Spartans meant that the whole concept and idea of what it was to be a Spartan was warped and distorted. In essence, the revolution did for ancient writers and their perception of Sparta what the movie 300 has done for modern audiences. The tragedy being that in their attempts to revive their city's cultural identity, the revolutionaries ultimately obscured it.
Indeed this was a very exciting and enjoyable read. The author has performed meticulous research of all the relevant arguments and viewpoints relating to Sparta in this period. Their footnotes are excellently detailed and the bibliography extensive. They appendices also contain valuable additional material, with Appendix D being especially interesting, again focusing on a discussion of the wider legacy of the Spartan leaders at this most interesting point in history. Overall a lover of Greek History, and a fan of Sparta would do well to add this book to their shelf. The downfall of Sparta plays out like a tragedy, but it was by no means a trivial and dull affair.
'In the name of Lykourgos' covers the period known today as the Spartan Revolutionary Movement which lasted from about 250BC-c192BC. It was an attempt by Spartan Kings and their followers to reverse the decline of their city by the 'restoration' of ancient Spartan Laws, the laws of Lykourgos, which they believed had been the source of Sparta's historic success and whose violation and degradation had been the cause of her decline. The primary movers of these reforms were Kings Agis, Kleomenes and Nabis, all of whom claimed to be restoring Sparta's ancient laws in the name of the mythic lawgiver Lykourgos. Common features included the revival of the agoge and syssitia and most importantly the redistribution of land allotments to Spartan Citizens in order to provide the the warriors for the Spartan army, while the Citizenship was extended to Perioikoi and some Helots in order to replenish the citizen body.
While the pursuit of the restoration of Sparta and the Spartan movement as a whole comes across to the reader as a noble cause which one can't help but admire, the author does an excellent job at demonstrating that, while noble in essence, the practice and the outcomes were a nightmare. This burst of activity on the part of the Spartans and especially their Kings would lead to short term success as Spartan power was amazingly and briefly restored, only to be completely shattered afterwards with devastating effects for the city. The Battle of Sellasia is given a great deal of treatment and very much marks the beginning of the end for Sparta, though she would trundle on and regain some power in the future, the effects of the battle on the citizen body were cataclysmic and irreversible. The ideal of the noble cause is also tinged heavily with reality, and the reader must feel a certain antipathy towards the Spartan leaders, who in their pursuit of a revived Sparta caused the deaths of so many thousands of her citizens, and citizens of the Peloponnese, as well as the destruction of many ancient institutions of Sparta in order to clear the way for their own political agenda and 'restoration' of her ancient laws that they so wilfully desecrated.
The lasting memory and influence of the Spartan Revolutionary Movement is also discussed. Like the influence of the movie 300 has on the common perception of what a Spartan is/was, the author heighlights the degree to which this movement to create an 'ideal Sparta' had on ancient writers and even on Spartan society itself. In their attempt to 'restore the ancient laws' the Spartan leaders were chasing a fantasy, even destroying societal structures which had been central to the Spartan polity for generations in order to achieve their reforms. This undermining of historical institutions combined with each king restoring what he regarded as the laws of Lykougos, no doubt coupled with the deaths in war and the replenishment of the citizen body with non-Spartans meant that the whole concept and idea of what it was to be a Spartan was warped and distorted. In essence, the revolution did for ancient writers and their perception of Sparta what the movie 300 has done for modern audiences. The tragedy being that in their attempts to revive their city's cultural identity, the revolutionaries ultimately obscured it.
Indeed this was a very exciting and enjoyable read. The author has performed meticulous research of all the relevant arguments and viewpoints relating to Sparta in this period. Their footnotes are excellently detailed and the bibliography extensive. They appendices also contain valuable additional material, with Appendix D being especially interesting, again focusing on a discussion of the wider legacy of the Spartan leaders at this most interesting point in history. Overall a lover of Greek History, and a fan of Sparta would do well to add this book to their shelf. The downfall of Sparta plays out like a tragedy, but it was by no means a trivial and dull affair.
March 24, 2024
Excellent.
The book tells the tale of Sparta's final decades of freedom, as it rages against the dying of the light. In a post-Macedonian-Empire Greece city states are no longer powerful enough to contend with the new powerful states and Leagues which compete for dominance. But, Sparta is never one to march in step with its times.
Instead of accepting this reality, a series of Spartan kings carry out dramatic reforms and revolutions, trying to find the right formula to honour Sparta's past, but also to allow Sparta to compete in the present. Political intrigue, debt cancellations, revolutions, dramatic last stands, and even a brief attempt to overthrow the king of Egypt. It's got it all.
It reads well, and I think there's plenty here for both those new to Sparta and those well versed in this particularly idiosyncratic state. Absolutely enjoyed this book, and definitely recommend it.
The book tells the tale of Sparta's final decades of freedom, as it rages against the dying of the light. In a post-Macedonian-Empire Greece city states are no longer powerful enough to contend with the new powerful states and Leagues which compete for dominance. But, Sparta is never one to march in step with its times.
Instead of accepting this reality, a series of Spartan kings carry out dramatic reforms and revolutions, trying to find the right formula to honour Sparta's past, but also to allow Sparta to compete in the present. Political intrigue, debt cancellations, revolutions, dramatic last stands, and even a brief attempt to overthrow the king of Egypt. It's got it all.
It reads well, and I think there's plenty here for both those new to Sparta and those well versed in this particularly idiosyncratic state. Absolutely enjoyed this book, and definitely recommend it.
September 8, 2020
Ενας πολυπραγμων ξερολας ειναι ο συγγραφεας, που μας εχει πεθανει με το να γραφει παντου "περισπουδαστες" βιβλιοκριτικες...
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