History is often written by the victors and so is the case of Sparta. Only now is Sparta recognized as the real birthplace of democracy and home to two of Greece’s greatest philosophers. Much has been made of Spartan’s military, however, this was a challenging time in the world and culture, society and civilization could not exist without protection.
Here are some of my favorite stories and quotes on Sparta:
1) Queen Gorgo ( Leonidas’ wife) asked why the only women in the world who could rule men were Spartan women ,said “Because we are the only women who give birth to men.”
Message for today: Choose the mother of your children wisely.
2) A beggar asked alms of a Spartan, who said, “If I should give to you, you will be the more a beggar; and for this unseemly conduct of yours he who first gave you is responsible, for he thus made you lazy.”
Message for today: charity comes at a cost to one’s soul
3) One man who came to Sparta, and observed the honor which the young render to the old, said, “Only in Sparta does it pay to grow old.”
Message for today: Honor & respect comes only to those who earn it.
4) When Philip of Macedon sent some orders to the Spartans by letter, they wrote in reply, “What you wrote about, ‘No.’ ” When he invaded the Spartans’ country, and all thought that they should be destroyed, he said to one of the Spartans, “What shall you do now, men of Sparta?” And the other said, “What else than die like men? For we alone of all the Greeks have learned to be free, and not to be subject to others.”
Message for today: better to die on your feet than live on your knees.
5) A Spartan, being asked if the road into Sparta were safe, said, “That depends on what kind of a man you are; for the lions gang about where they will, but the hares we hunt over that land.”
Message for today: don’t be a soft target
6) Some people, encountering Spartans on the road, said, “You are in luck, for robbers have just left this place,” but they said, “Egad, no, but it is they who are in luck for not encountering us.”
Message for today: there are reasons some folks have no fear.
8) When two brothers quarreled with each other, the Spartans fined the father because he permitted his sons to quarrel.
Message for today: parents are responsible for their children and their behavior
9) Someone on seeing a painting in which Spartans were depicted as slain by Athenians, kept repeating, “Brave, brave Athenians.” A Spartan cut in with, “Yes, in the picture!”
Message for today: history is often depicted inaccurately…. even today.
Better to be a Spartan.
Roger Freberg
Here are some links for further reading: