Ancient Civilisations The Spartans
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Nov 28, 2025 Dr. Andrew Bayliss, an Associate Professor of Greek History at the University of Birmingham and author of "The Spartans: A Very Short Introduction," explores Sparta's complex legacy. From the heroic stand at Thermopylae to the brutal reality of helot slavery and infanticide, he reveals the darker aspects of Spartan society. Bayliss discusses the harsh agoge training for boys, the role of women in Spartan life, and how admiration for Sparta often overlooks its moral compromises and oppressive practices.
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Thermopylae Frames Spartan Legend
- John Hopkins narrates the legendary last stand of Leonidas and 300 Spartans at Thermopylae.
- He frames the sacrifice as forming the core of Sparta's heroic reputation across millennia.
Slave Labor Enabled Spartan Warriors
- Andrew Bayliss explains Sparta relied on conquered helots to do menial work so citizens could train as hoplites.
- This specialization turned Spartan citizens into a warrior landowning elite rather than a broad civic class.
Tyros Illustrates Brutal Agoge Life
- John Hopkins follows a boy, Tyros, through the Agoge, showing harsh upbringing and punishments like whipping.
- The story emphasizes survival training and meagre rations shaping stoic soldiers.
