{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/6467b7de03f4220011a934bd/64e7a92cbd2b55001073c17c?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"100. Sparta Was Not This Supreme Military Elite with Myke Cole","description":"<p>In this episode, we join acclaimed author and military historian Myke Cole. The conversation spans various aspects of Spartan society, debunking myths and shedding light on the realities of ancient Greece.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Origins of the Discussion:</strong></p><ul><li>Introduction to the episode's theme: a critical examination of Spartan military prowess.</li><li>Acknowledgment of the audience's interest, prompted by a Patreon subscriber's question.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Sparta's Reputation:</strong></p><ul><li>Delving into the question of whether Spartans were genuinely regarded as elite super soldiers in antiquity or if it's a modern stereotype.</li><li>Exploration of the historiography and pop culture that contributed to the creation of the Spartan myth.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Sources on Spartan History:</strong></p><ul><li>Discussion on the limited written records from Spartans themselves, relying on interpretations from contemporary sources.</li><li>Evaluation of Xenophon's influence, particularly in portraying Spartan military prowess.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Spartan Military Engagements:</strong></p><ul><li>Overview of Sparta's involvement in various conflicts, including the Peloponnesian War and the Cleomenean War.</li><li>Emphasis on selected battles highlighting Spartan defeats to challenge the myth of invincibility.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Success and Failure in Spartan Military Record:</strong></p><ul><li>Addressing the perception that Spartans lost more battles than they won.</li><li>Analyzing notable victories, such as the first Battle of Mantinea in 418 BC, to provide a balanced view.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>The Agoge and Spartan Training:</strong></p><ul><li>Dissecting the Spartan agoge, its portrayal in popular media, and the challenges in separating fact from fiction.</li><li>Relying on Plutarch's accounts and questioning the accuracy of the agoge's extreme practices.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Spartan Women and Social Fabric:</strong></p><ul><li>Disproving the myth of warrior women in Sparta.</li><li>Highlighting the unique rights granted to Spartan women, such as inheritance and sports participation.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Sparta's Decline and Social Conservatism:</strong></p><ul><li>Examining factors contributing to Sparta's decline, including social conservatism and slow adaptation to military innovations.</li><li>Connecting the decline to the battle of Leuctra in 371 BC and Sparta's inability to keep pace with changing warfare dynamics.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Closing Thoughts:</strong></p><ul><li>A lively and informative discussion challenging common perceptions of Spartan history.</li><li>Acknowledgment of the audience's role in contributing questions and engaging in historical exploration.</li></ul><p><br></p><p>You can buy the <a href=\"https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781472843760\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Bronze Lie at the History Rage Bookshop</a></p><p><br></p><p>And you can follow Myke on Twitter <a href=\"https://twitter.com/MykeCole\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">@MykeCole</a></p><p><br></p><p>You can follow History Rage on Twitter @HistoryRage and let us know what you wish people would just stop believing using the Hashtag #HistoryRage.</p><p><br></p><p>You can join our <a href=\"https://www.patreon.com/historyrage\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">'Angry Mob' on Patreon</a> as well. £5 per month gets you episodes 3 months early, the invite to choose questions, entry into our prize draws and the coveted History Rage mug.</p>","author_name":"Paul Bavill"}