This is How the Spartans Can Inspire You
It isn't positions which lend men distinction, but men who enhance positions.
You’ve probably watched the movie 300 as directed by Zack Snyder. The Spartans were known for their courage, endurance and excellence in battle. Because of this valour, they inspired the Stoics to handle the delicate task of securing tranquility, eudaemonia, and freedom with a warlike weightiness for much was at stake.
Seneca wrote,
"History relates the story of the famous Spartan, a mere boy who, when he was taken a prisoner, kept shouting in his native Doric, 'I shall not be a slave!' He was as good as his word. The first time he was ordered to perform a slave's task (his actual orders were to fetch a disgusting chamber pot), he dashed his head against a wall and cracked his skull open. Freedom is as near as that — is anyone really a slave? Would you not rather your own son died like that than lived by reason of spinelessness to an advanced age? Why be perturbed about death when even a child can meet it bravely?".
You don’t have to go to that extreme length. But we could all use some more courage, wisdom, lightheartedness, and tact in our approach against obstacles. That’s the sentiment I’d like to inspire in you today. Not to coax you into martyrdom.
Here are witty sayings by some Spartan Kings and generals as told by the great historian Plutarch. Some are funny, as comedy lightens the heart in the face of trouble, while others are packed with pithy wisdom. Scroll on and enjoy!
AGESILAUS (Eurypontid king, 400–360)
“When he was still a boy, at a celebration of the Gymnopaediae the choral director put him in an inconspicuous position. Even though he was already in line to become king, he complied, and remarked: “That's fine, for I shall show that it isn't positions which lend men distinction, but men who enhance positions.”
“Another time he watched a mouse being pulled from its hole by a small boy. When the mouse turned round, bit the hand of its captor and escaped, he pointed this out to those present and said: ‘When the tiniest creature defends itself like this against aggressors, what ought men to do, do you reckon?”
“He recommended his friends to strive to be rich not in possessions, but in courage and merit.”
“ He used to say that a general needs to show daring towards his opponents, goodwill towards his subordinates and a cool head in crises.”
“He was prouder of working just as hard as anyone, and in exercising self-discipline, than he was of being king.”
AGIS SON OF ARCHIDAMUS (Eurypontid king, 427–400)
“He remarked that the Spartans do not ask how many the enemy are, but where they are.”
“When after their defeat the Argives met him again with a bolder air, and he saw that his allies were disturbed, he said: ‘Keep your spirits up, men! For when we the victors are afraid, what do you think those we have defeated are feeling?”
“An envoy who came to Sparta from Perinthus delivered a lengthy speech; when he had finished talking and asked Agis what he should report back to the Perinthians, he said: ‘What else except that you barely managed to stop talking, while I remained silent?”
ARCHIDAMUS SON OF ZEUXIDAMUS (Eurypontid king, c. 469–427)
“To the man who was praising a lyre-player and marvelling at his ability, he said: ‘Dear friend, what kind of compliment will you find to bestow on true men, when you praise a lyre-player in these terms?”
“When he observed his son fighting the Athenians recklessly, he said: ‘Either increase your strength, or reduce your self-confidence.”
ARCHIDAMUS SON OF AGESILAUS (Eurypontid king, 360–338)
"When Philip wrote him a rather arrogant letter after the battle of Chaeronea, Archidamus son of Agesilaus wrote back: ‘Were you to measure your own shadow, you wouldn't find that it had grown any bigger than before your victory.”
“Since Periander the doctor was professionally well respected and very highly recommended, but used to write dreadful poetry, he said to him: ‘Why ever is it, Periander, that you are so keen to be called a bad poet instead of an expert doctor?”
ANDROCLEIDAS
The Spartan Androcleidas, who had a crippled leg, enlisted himself among the fighting men. When some were determined to debar him because he was crippled, he said: ‘But what's needed to fight our foes is a man who stands his ground, not one who runs away.”
ARISTON (Sixth-century Eurypontid king)
“As some Athenian was reading a funeral eulogy in praise of men killed by Spartans, he said: ‘What, then, do you think was the quality of our men who defeated them?”
ANAXANDRIDAS (Sixth-century Agiad king)
“When another person was inquiring why in their wars Spartiates confidently face danger, he said: ‘Because we practise proper respect for life, not fear of it like the rest of mankind.”
LEONIDAS SON OF ANAXANDRIDAS (Agiad king, 491–480.
“When someone was saying: ‘It isn't even possible to see the sun because of the Persians' arrows,’ he said: ‘How pleasant then, if we're going to fight them in the shade.”
PANTHOIDAS (Spartiate officer of the early fourth century)
“When the philosophers were engaging in much serious discussion in the Academy and Panthoidas was asked subsequently what impression their talk made on him, he replied: ‘What else but serious? Yet there is no value in it unless you put it to use.”
PAUSANIAS SON OF CLEOMBROTUS
“When amongst the spoils some people were amazed at the extravagance of the Persians' clothing, he said: ‘Better for them to be men of great worth rather than to have possessions of great worth.”
“PAUSANIAS SON OF PLEISTOANAX (Agiad king, 408–395)”
“When another doctor said to him: ‘You have become an old man,’ he said: ‘Yes, because I didn't employ you as my doctor.”
PEDARITUS (Spartan harmost)
“As someone was remarking that the enemy's numbers were substantial, Pedaritus said: ‘Then we shall win greater fame since we shall inflict higher casualties.”
“When not selected as one of the Three Hundred (which was rated as the outstanding distinction in the state) he withdrew with a bright smile. Yet when summoned back by the ephors and asked what was making him cheerful, he said: ‘Because I congratulate the state on having three hundred citizens better than I.”
PLEISTARCHUS(Agiad king, 480–458)
“When some advocate was making jokes, he said: ‘My friend, as you keep cracking jokes, shouldn't you take care not to turn into a clown, in just the way that those who keep wrestling turn into wrestlers?’
"He said to the man who was imitating a nightingale: ‘My friend, I've found more pleasure in listening to the nightingale herself."
"On being informed by someone that a particular slanderer was praising him, he said: ‘I wonder if somebody has told him that I'm dead, since he's incapable of speaking a good word about anyone alive.”
PLEISTOANAX (Agiad king, 458–446/5)
“When some Athenian politician was disparaging the Spartans as uneducated, Pleistoanax son of Pausanias said: ‘Your point is correct, since we are the only Greeks who have learned nothing wicked from you Athenians.”
POLYDORUS (Seventh-century Agiad king)
“When asked why Spartiates boldly run risks in warfare, he said: ‘Because they have learned to respect their leaders, not to fear them.”
CHARILLUS (Eightieth-century Eurypontid King)
“When someone asked him which type of government he considered the best, he said: ‘The one in which the largest number of citizens are willing to compete with each other in excellence and without civil discord.”
“When one of the helots behaved rather insolently towards him, he said: ‘Were I not angry, I would have killed you.”
`Til next time
Antonius Veritas.
What I’m listening to.
They truly are Trudi :). I appreciate you reading. What part of their philosophy or culture do you find most interesting?
I really enjoyed reading these quotes. I remember visiting Sparta and seeing nothing but surrounding plains and a museum with a few artefacts within. Yet they are still remembered and revered.