Sparta in the Spotlight. Part I

Sparta, what do we know about it exactly and what's been exaggerated, or just made up? In the first of three episodes I look at the education system (agoge), communal mess (syssitia) and get into the Krypteia (not literally though). What do the sources say about these and how do they differ from ways they are sometimes depicted?

In addition to all of this I have a quick overview of the sources which have their part to play and get into a few anecdotes.

Find me on X, Instagram, Bluesky and TikTok as ancientblogger (see links below). There's my AncientBlogger YouTube channel and the Ancient History Hound subreddit. Come say hello (you can even go full old school and email me on ancientblogger@hotmail.com).

Find me here

Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).

Reading list and sources used

Berry, PE & Knotterus JD. Spartan Society: Structural ritualization in an ancient social system

Cartledge, P. The Spartans

Davidson, J. The Greeks and Greek Love

Figueira, T. Mess contributions and subsistence at Sparta

Kennell, NM. Gymnasium of Virtue: education & culture in ancient Sparta

Luraghi & Alcock. Helots and their masters in Laconia and Messenia

Matyszak, P. Sparta, rise of a warrior nation

Miller, S.G. Ancient Greek Athletics.

Special shoutout to the excellent BadAncient website,the In Our Time Sparta episode and the Life in Sparta and the truth about Sparta episode on The Ancients podcast.

Tämä jakso on lisätty Podme-palveluun avoimen RSS-syötteen kautta eikä se ole Podmen omaa tuotantoa. Siksi jakso saattaa sisältää mainontaa.

Jaksot(112)

Festivals in ancient Rome: July & August

In this episode I get speculative and try to piece together what happened at the Consualia and an infamous event in Rome's early history. Alongside that there's Roman women saving the day, the strange...

22 Kesä 23min

Sparta in the Spotlight. Part III

In the final part of the miniseries I look at Spartan marriage, money and mothers as well as a range of other topics. I hope you've enjoyed these Sparta episodes, why not let me know? Find me via thes...

3 Kesä 25min

Hannibal: surprise, Celts and not besieging Rome

In this episode I get into a famous event and a famous non-event. Did Hannibal really take Rome by surprise by crossing the Alps and why didn't he attack Rome directly after Cannae? I tackle both of t...

4 Touko 17min

Sparta in the Spotlight. Part II

In this episode I look at how the Spartan soldier fared in battle. What advantages had they been given through the agoge and syssitia? What was hoplite battle like and how good were the Spartans? I al...

27 Maalis 30min

2026 update

Time for a quick update about what to expect in 2026 and when the next episode will drop. Let me know what you think, I'm @ancientblogger on Instagram, X, Bluesky and TikTok. There's also the Ancient...

25 Tammi 2min

Exploring Place in Regal Rome (Part 2).

This is the second of two episodes where I was a guest back in 2024 on the Partial Historians, a fantastic podcast which I suggest you check out. Over two epsiodes we discuss the places in ancient Rom...

30 Joulu 20251h 12min

Exploring Place in Regal Rome (Part 1).

This is the first of two episodes where I was a guest back in 2024 on the Partial Historians, a fantastic podcast which I suggest you check out. Over two epsiodes we discuss the places in ancient Rome...

15 Joulu 20251h 23min