Sparta: Greece’s Superpower

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Typical Spartan warrior.

When one hears the word Sparta, images of elite soldiers fighting the forces of Persia usually come to mind. However, few know of the home life of Sparta or how they became the ancient military powerhouse they’re remembered as today. 

Spartan militarism began with the invasion of Messenia in the 8th century BC. After conquering Messenia, Sparta enslaved the inhabitants and gave its own citizens use of Messenian lands. The slaves were treated poorly by their Spartan captors, a situation which boiled over and eventually resulted in a mass slave revolt. The Spartans quelled this rebellion, but to prevent such an uprising from happening again Sparta became much more militaristic in order to keep the Messenians in subjugation. Moving forward, this is why Sparta would have such an intent focus on military strength. 

At age seven, Spartan males left home for 13 years of military training. The boys were given one cloak, no shoes, and just enough food to keep them alive. The winters were cold and the food was barely enough to live off of, so they had to steal or forage extra to survive. However, if they were caught stealing, they would be harshly punished. 

After this arduous training at age 20, these soldiers entered into the citizen army and were allowed to marry. At age 30, they became citizens but despite this achievement still had to eat at public mess halls. This helped to enforce the idea that the State and Sparta were more important than one’s own family. Even though the quality of each individual soldier was far superior to that of Athens or the other Greek city states, the Spartans did have two significant challenges. Firstly, Sparta did not have a strong navy to rival the Athenian navy. Secondly, fears of slave revolts forced Sparta to keep a significant amount of troops in the homeland. These disadvantages would become evident in the Persian and Peloponnesian Wars. Nevertheless, on land Sparta’s military was unmatched. 

While Sparta’s military prowess is often discussed, life in Sparta is relatively unknown by most people. Even though certain aspects of their history, such as their treatment of the Messenians, were abhorrent, we still must learn what led up to them being the Greek superpower they would eventually become. 

Hesiod’s Theogony

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Pin on Fashion History: Ancient Greece
Sculpture of the Greek god Zeus.

Poetry and plays provide insight into the lives of the ancient Greeks. Their religion was ritual-based, each city-state had its own separate rituals, and citizenship was open only by participating in these customs. Performing as part of the annual festival of the god Dionysus, plays and poems helped unite the society. 

One of these poems was Hesiod’s “Theogony” which was written around 750 BC. In “Theogony,” Hesiod discusses the origins of the Mount Olympus’ gods who are not the same as the local gods, city gods, or gods of the underworld. Although it is the most well-known poem about the story of the gods, it’s not the only one. 

The whole opening section of the poem is a description of gods called “muses”: the daughters of Zeus. He is the supreme god but not omnipotent and he worries about being overthrown. 

Hesiod was a pious man, telling readers to respect the gods and even claiming that the gods told him in a vision to write the poem. However, he highlights multiple times in “Theogony” that they do many immoral and vile things such as murder, deception, and vengeance. Hesiod even points out that since there are no ethical rules among the gods, peace is impossible. 

The story of creation is told in “Theogony” and goes like this: the god chaos was first, then chaos created earth and from chaos came night and day, then earth bore heaven. The gods use humans to get their will and create war and conflict on earth. Interestingly, at birth men are chosen to be either good or evil, and their fate is also decided at that time by the gods. Like in the Old Testament of the Bible, the five fundamental themes are shown in “Theogony.” Sanctions are displayed when men are punished during a feud between two gods. The sanctions include suffering death, blame, woe, and “ruthless avenging fates.” One of these fates is women, who were created to destroy men and are referred to as the “deadly race.” Hierarchy is shown through “Theogony” as well with there being a complex order amongst the gods, with Zeus being supreme. 

Hesiod’s “Works and Days”

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A 1539 printing of Works and Days.

In “Works and Days,” Hesiod described himself as the heir to a farm bequeathed to him and his brother Perses. However, Perses apparently squandered his wealth and came back for what is owed by Hesiod. Subsequently, Perses went to the law and bribed the lords to judge in his favor. The poem contains a sharp attack against unjust judges, like those who decided in favor of the greedy Perses. The judges are depicted as pocketing bribes as they render their unfair verdicts. Blaming the courts for his problem, Hesiod urged Perses to abandon the courts. He thought that it was better to teach his brother the virtues of work and to impart his wisdom which can be used to generate an income. 

In the second part of “Works and Days,” Hesiod tried to send a message that if you get wealth from mischief, then that wealth will only stay with you for a while; but if you acquire wealth in an honest way, then it will remain with you. Hesiod also instructed that generosity pays and greed does not. 

Later in the book, Hesiod offered specific advice on farming and how to manage your time wisely, probably because he thinks Perses will listen. Hesiod then warns that if you do not worship Zeus, the god will bring poverty to you and your family. Giving more counsel, Hesiod stated that you should never treat your slaves and animals poorly, and that if you marry a good wife then she will be a benefit, but a bad wife is a curse to you. 

Hesiod wrote that justice will eventually defeat the bribes that his brother offered to the corrupt judges because Zeus has 30,000 spirits that will administer justice. Zeus will also reward righteousness with prosperity. Additionally, Hesiod stated that badness is easy, but it will end badly for you, and that hard work will bring you success.