Sparta: The Ultimate Greek Warriors: Everything You Need To Know About the Spartan Civilization (Sparta History, Greek Spartans 101) by Beckett Thomas

Author:Beckett, Thomas [Beckett, Thomas]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-05-02T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve - Famous Spartans

At first thought, it is the state of Sparta as a whole that comes to mind instead of the people themselves. Spartan history is full of individuals, both male and female, who helped shape the country and altered the course it underwent. Would Sparta have been able to last as long or attain its great reputation without these figures? It is a question that might never be answered. Whilst there was a great deal of famous Spartans that made a significant impact on the state, let’s take a look at the following individuals.

Agis IV

Agis IV was a king of Sparta under the Eurypontid lineage. He was the 24th king who took the throne from his father when he was just 20 years old. His rule was pretty short, ruling for just four years but he made a great impact on the state. Agis was able to encourage his subjects to bring back the age-old traditions of the state, of dividing the wealth and the territory, concepts which had been ignored for some time. Because of this, Agis IV is certainly one of the most significant individuals from Spartan history.

Lycurgus

Lycurgus is often referred to as the “lawgiver” of the city-state but it is still a matter of debate as to whether he was a real man, a mythological figure or just a tall-tale. Despite not knowing anything about him for certain, he is recognized as the man who founded Sparta. Lycurgus created the Gerousia, established the loyalty of the citizens of Sparta, and that the warriors would eat their meals together. It was from the Oracle of Apollo that Lycurgus based his own beliefs on and he used these beliefs to bring about a strong state that would strike fear into the hearts of other kingdoms across the ancient world.

Leonidas I

Leonidas I is undoubtedly the one Spartan that everyone knows, especially in recent years due to a well-known Hollywood movie. Leonidas I was the king who marched with 300 soldiers to face the Persian army and succeeded at the Battle of Themopylae. Also referred to as Leonidas the Brave, he ruled Sparta for a decade between c. 489 to 480 BCE, but he was thought to be 60 years old when he was killed.

Nabis

Commonly called the last king of Sparta, Nabis was technically an independent king of Sparta. He had limited control over a small territory who wrestled the kingship from the true heir, Pelops, who was too young to rule at the time. Because Pelops was too young to rule by himself, he had a number of advisors and regents to help him; Nabis was the second regent and quickly established himself as king. The dates of his rule are a little shaky, but scholars believe he ruled from 207 BCE until he was assassinated in 192 BCE by the Aetolian League.

Cynisca

Spartan women had much more freedom in Sparta than they would have experienced in other parts of the Greek world and Cynisca is certainly one of these women who enjoyed her liberty.

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