The Book Club Andrew Bayliss: Sparta – The Rise and Fall of An Ancient Superpower
Sep 10, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Andrew Bayliss, an Associate Professor at the University of Birmingham and author of 'Sparta: The Rise and Fall of an Ancient Superpower,' explores the stark contrasts of Spartan society. He delves into the myths surrounding Spartan infanticide and the realities behind their rigorous social hierarchy. The conversation also touches on the unique military strategies that defined Sparta and its portrayal in popular media, particularly the film '300.' Additionally, Bayliss reflects on the complex rivalry between Sparta and Athens, reshaping our understanding of these fierce city-states.
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What Made Sparta Distinctive
- Sparta combined multiple unusual institutions that set it apart from other Greek city-states.
- Their compulsory state-run education and prominent women made them outwardly distinctive and martial.
Austere Look, Wealthy Core
- Spartans cultivated austerity in appearance while their citizens were very wealthy.
- Wealth came from land owned by citizens and worked by helot slaves, letting Spartans live as leisured elites.
Three-Tiered Spartan Society
- Spartan society was rigidly hierarchical with citizens, perioikoi, and helots occupying different legal statuses.
- Spartans ruled a vast territory while citizens lived in a tiny urban core and outsourced labour to helots.
