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Ancient Greece Declassified
54 Were the Spartans Proto-Fascist Losers? w/ Bret Devereaux
Jan 1, 2024
Military historian challenges traditional view of Spartans as elite warriors, debunking myths perpetuated by popular culture. Examines Spartan military prowess, training methods, governance, and treatment of Helots. Explores societal impact of Spartan conquest and shift towards austerity.
56:09
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Quick takeaways
- Spartans focused more on obedience and conformity than combat training.
- Scholars debate the mistreatment of Helots in Spartan society.
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Debate Over Sparta's History
There is a debate about the traditional image of Spartans as fearless warriors being challenged by recent scholars who claim it is a lie. Scholars argue Spartans were not remarkable militarily and were poor role models. The debate centers on claims that Spartans were not well trained for battle and habitually murdered their slaves. Despite conflicting views, scholars rely on sources to support their arguments.
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Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode