Sparta at War

Analytical essay, just need to answer the question and support it with a couple of quotes from any article u find. Teacher uses turnitin.com so can’t be plagiarized.

Compare the accounts of the Lycurgan reforms in Plutarch’s Lycurgus and Xenophon’s Spartan Society. To what extent do they agree about the nature of Sparta after Lycurgus’ reforms? In what respects do their portrayals of Spartan society differ?

Sparta at War

Introduction

Sparta was a warrior society that was located in ancient Greece. The society achieved the height of its power and dominance after conquering its rival city-state, Athens, in the 431-404 B.C. Peloponnesian War (Knottnerus & Berry, 2002). The culture of the Spartan society was based on military service and loyalty to the state. For this reason, Spartan boys were engaged in rigorous education, socialization, and military training, all of which were sponsored by the state. The system of governance of the community emphasized discipline, duty, and endurance. Girls and women were not engaged in the military. However, they were educated and had more freedom compared to other Greek women. The dominance of the Spartan society was short-lived, as they were conquered by Thebes in 371 B.C. at the Battle of Leuctra, which was the beginning of the decline of the Spartan society.

The most definite truth about Spartan society is that a lot is unknown and unexplained about it, besides its rise and fall. There are very few artifacts, articles, and documents that have been produced or discovered about the Spartan society. The few artifacts and documents that have been discovered and analyzed are the sources of everything that is known about the society to date. Two of the most commonly discussed documents on the society are Xenophon’s Spartan Society (Xenophon, n.d.) and Plutarch’s On Sparta (Plutarch, n.d.). These documents provide information about the organization of the Spartan society, leadership, and the reforms introduced by Lycurgus, a popular leader of the Spartans. The views of the Spartan society, expressed by the two authors in these documents, are discussed in this paper.

Plutarch versus Xenophon on The Lycurgan Reforms

Plutarch and Xenophon provide accounts of the Spartan society, accounts that have some similarities and differences. A key issue that both accounts focus on is the Lycurgan reforms. Lycurgus was a legendary lawmaker in Sparta who was able to establish a military-focused reformation of the society. All the reforms that Lycurgus introduced promoted three key Spartan virtues: military fitness, equality among citizens, and austerity. He was responsible for the institution of the militaristic and communalistic reforms that transformed the Spartan society. Over the years, these reforms have been referred to as the Lycurgan reforms. In the accounts provided by Plutarch and Xenophon, various differences are notable in the discussion of the Lycurgan political, militaristic, economic, and social reforms.

One of the most notable differences in the comparison of the two accounts is the approach taken by each author. Plutarch provides a historical account of the Spartan society while maintaining objectivity in his writing and detailing. Xenophon, on the other hand, shows appreciation of the Spartan society and uses it as a reference in his criticism of the Greek society. In is writing, Plutarch uses narration and avoids giving his own opinion about the reforms and the mode of the leadership of Lycurgus. He discusses the reforms without providing a personal opinion or asking any moral or ethical questions. His explanations are also very detailed, perhaps to give a clear picture of the reforms made: “The third and most masterly stroke of this great lawgiver, by which he struck a yet more effectual blow against luxury and the desire of riches, was the ordinance he made, that they should all eat in common, of the same bread and same meat, and of kinds that were specified, and should not spend their lives at home, laid on costly couches at splendid tables, delivering themselves up into the hands of their tradesmen and cooks, to fatten them in corners, like greedy brutes…” (Plutarch, n.d.).

Xenophon seems to appreciate the reforms made and the decisions made by Lycurgus. However, he questions these decisions and seems to be criticizing the Greek people using the Spartans as an example. He writes, “Rather than letting boys’ feet grow soft in shoes, he told them emphatically to make them strong by not wearing shoes, in the belief that this practice should enable them to walk uphill with greater ease and come down in greater safety…” (Xenophon, n.d.). He proceeds to question this reform saying, “So clearly it was Lycurgus’ wish that by training the boys in all these ways he would make them more resourceful at feeding themselves and better fighters. Someone might ask then, if he considered theft a good thing, why on earth did he inflict many lashes on the boy who was caught?” (Xenophon, n.d.). This shows that the author questions the reforms, even proceeding to answer the question posed by giving his perspective.

The authors use very different styles of writing, which can be explained by them living during different centuries. Plutarch lived in the first century AD while Xenophon lived in the fourth century BC. As such, the two writers had different intentions and contexts when giving their accounts. Besides notable differences in the accounts of Xenophon and Plutarch, there are also notable similarities. One issue that both writers talk about is the effect of the Lycurgan reforms on the political aspect of the Spartan society. The writers both agree that the role of the king was changed, with the two kings no longer being exempted or excused from the ordinary activities of the citizens. In both accounts, the training provided to the young men was also changed with the reforms. The importance of wealth in society and the people responsible for gathering wealth also changed as a result of the reforms introduced by Lycurgus.

Additionally, the writers seem to agree on the issues of sharing and equality in the Spartan society after the reforms. Plutarch states: “…he resolved to make a division of their movables too, that there might be no odious distinction or inequality left amongst them” (Plutarch, n.d.). Xenophon states: “He even authorized them to use other people’s household servants too, if anybody needed them. He also authorized hunting dogs to be shared, so that men who need some ask to take them on their hunt, and the owner is pleased to send them if he is not at leisure himself…’ (Xenophon, n.d.). The writers explain how the reforms resulted in the Spartan society becoming more communal, as wealth was shared equally and everyone was treated equally.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the reforms introduced in Spartan society by Lycurgus resulted in a complete transformation of society. Even though little is known and understood about the ancient Greek society, the accounts provided by writers such as Plutarch and Xenophon provide some insight into the society, its organization and governance, its economic factors, and the society’s way of life. The writers provide accounts that have various similarities and differences, providing a deeper understanding of the Spartan society and the Lycurgan reforms.

References

Knottnerus, J. D., & Berry, P. E. (2002). Spartan society: Structural ritualization in an ancient social system. Humboldt Journal of Social Relations, 1-41.

Plutarch. (n.d.). The Internet Classics Archive: Lycurgus by Plutarch. Retrieved February 18, 2020, from http://classics.mit.edu/Plutarch/lycurgus.html

Xenophon. (n.d.). XENOPHON, SPARTAN SOCIETY. Retrieved February 18, 2020, from https://erenow.net/ancient/on-sparta/9.php