Other states' views of Sparta and the effect of the Spartan system on policy

Welcome to the World of Spartan Reputation!

In this chapter, we are looking at how the rest of the Greek world viewed Sparta and, perhaps more importantly, how the unique Spartan way of life actually limited what they could do in politics. We often think of Sparta as a powerful, unstoppable war machine, but the reality was much more complicated. By the end of these notes, you will understand why Sparta was often slow to act and how their "perfect" system eventually started to crack.

1. The "Spartan Mirage"

The Spartan Mirage is a term used by historians to describe the way ancient writers (mostly non-Spartans) created an idealized, almost legendary image of Sparta. Because the Spartans were very private and didn't write their own history, we rely on outsiders like Xenophon, Plutarch, and Thucydides.

Why was there a "Mirage"?

• Athenian Admirers: Some Athenians who disliked democracy (like Xenophon) wrote about Sparta as if it were a perfect utopia of discipline and stability.
• Spartan Secrecy: Sparta often kicked out foreigners (xenelasia), which made them seem mysterious and elite.
• Consistency: The Spartan system (the agoge and gerousia) stayed the same for a long time, making them look more stable than the chaotic democracy of Athens.

Quick Tip: When you read an ancient source about Sparta, always ask: "Is this writer telling the truth, or are they caught up in the 'Mirage'?" Thucydides is often more critical, while Xenophon (in his Constitution of the Spartans) is usually a big fan.

2. The Peloponnesian League

Sparta wasn't just one city; it was the leader of the Peloponnesian League. Unlike the Athenian Empire, where Athens forced people to pay tribute, the Peloponnesian League was a collection of allies who agreed to "have the same friends and enemies" as Sparta.

Key Features of the League:

• Autonomy: Allies were technically independent and didn't pay regular taxes to Sparta.
• The Assembly: To go to war, Sparta had to call a meeting of the allies. Each city had one vote.
• Spartan Leadership: Sparta provided the commanders (nauarchs and kings) for the league's armies.

Effect on Policy: Sparta couldn't always do what it wanted! If powerful allies like Corinth or Thebes were angry, they could pressure Sparta into going to war (as they did in 432 BC before the Peloponnesian War).

3. Constraints on Spartan Action

Have you ever wondered why Sparta, despite having the best army, often seemed "slow" to go to war? Their own system acted like a set of handcuffs. Don't worry if this seems confusing—just remember these three main "handcuffs":

A. The Helot Threat

The Spartans were always outnumbered by their state-slaves, the helots. Every time the Spartan army marched away from home, they risked a helot revolt. For example, the massive earthquake in 465–464 BC led to a major uprising that kept the Spartan army busy for years. Policy-wise, this meant Sparta preferred short wars and staying close to the Peloponnese.

B. Religious Obligations

Spartans were incredibly religious. They would refuse to march until a religious festival (like the Carneia) was finished. This made them predictable and sometimes dangerously late to battles.

C. The Dual Kingship and Ephors

Because Sparta had two kings and five ephors, there was often a "tug-of-war" in leadership. In 432 BC, King Archidamus argued for peace and caution, while the Ephor Sthenelaidas pushed for immediate war. This internal friction often led to delays in Spartan policy.

4. Oliganthropia: The Shrinking Army

Oliganthropia literally means "shortage of men." This is one of the most important concepts for your exam! Over time, the number of full Spartan citizens (Spartiates) dropped drastically.

Why did it happen?

• Strict Requirements: To be a Spartiate, you had to contribute food to the common mess (syssitia). If you became too poor, you lost your citizenship.
• Warfare: Constant fighting (like at Pylos or Sphacteria) thinned their ranks.
• Inheritance: Land was often divided or concentrated in a few hands, leaving many men without enough wealth to remain citizens.

The Result: By the end of the Peloponnesian War, Sparta had to rely more on perioikoi (middle-class non-citizens) and even "Brasideans" (helots who fought as hoplites) to fill their ranks. This weakened the "purity" of the Spartan system.

5. The Decline of Values

The Spartan system was designed to hate wealth and luxury. They used heavy iron spits as money to make it hard to hide riches. However, as Sparta started winning the Peloponnesian War and operating overseas, this "old-school" morality began to fail.

• The Influx of Gold and Silver: After Lysander defeated Athens in 404 BC, huge amounts of Persian gold and Athenian tribute flooded into Sparta.
• Corruption: Spartan commanders abroad often became famous for being easily bribed or living luxurious lifestyles once they were away from the strict eyes of the ephors.
• Xenophon’s Lament: In Chapter 14 of his Constitution of the Spartans, Xenophon complains that the Spartans of his day are no longer obeying the laws of Lycurgus and are too focused on ruling others and accumulating wealth.

Key Takeaway: The very success of Sparta (winning the war) was the thing that destroyed the Spartan system. They weren't built to handle the responsibilities—or the temptations—of being a superpower.

6. Important People to Remember

When writing your essays, try to mention how these individuals influenced Spartan policy during this period:

• Archidamus: The cautious king who tried to prevent the Peloponnesian War.
• Sthenelaidas: The ephor who used a short, aggressive speech to push Sparta into war.
• Brasidas: A general who showed Sparta could be creative and use helot soldiers (showing the system was changing).
• Lysander: The naval commander who won the war but was seen as too powerful and "un-Spartan" because of his wealth and influence.

Did you know? Even though Spartans were famous for being men of few words (laconic), their political debates in the Assembly could be incredibly heated and could change the course of Greek history!