"From Thermopylae to Leuctra: The Evolution of the Spartan" Topic

…Military Ethos

"Throughout history few nations have possessed a fiercer military reputation than Sparta. The glorious stand at Thermopylae in 480 BCE still enchants people millennia after it was fought. Films, football teams, and clothing brands all pay homage to Spartan bravery and toughness. However, most are unaware of Spartan history outside the events of this battle. History enthusiasts revere the Spartans as strong, valiant, and morbidly witty men but this is not the entirety of their story. Spartan military ethos and methods did not remain stagnant after Thermopylae. However, strict adherence to the Spartan military culture increasingly eroded the very principles it sought to uphold. By the time Sparta succumbed to Theban military prowess, it had already abandoned the spirit of Thermopylae. From Thermopylae, to Sphacteria, to the Battle of Leuctra, each period experienced a unique shift in the military culture. Thermopylae stood as the high point of Spartan military ethos, Sphacteria the low point, and Leuctra as its last gasp; ultimately, Spartan military ethos destroyed itself because the traditional warrior society was incompatible with necessary innovation…"

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Armand

There are a number of books and monographs on "The Spartan Mirage", which is a term of art among some ancient historians. They make a good point about how the myth of Sparta was encouraged by the original Spartans to a degree and their admirers, and how this distortion of history has influenced succeeding generations.