Last dot point under Cultural life:
Greek writer's and their views of Sparta: (massive list of historians)
Writing and literature: Alcman and Tyrtaeus:
During the 7th and 6th centuries BC, Sparta attracted singers, poets and artists from Greece to its festivals.
The poetry of Alcman and Tyrtaeus, however, describes a social revolution – from leisured life to a suppressed one based on collective military discipline. About the time of the Second Messenian War, Spartan literature declined, cultural pursuits ended, and Sparta’s economy stagnated.
The poet, Tyrtaeus, wrote elegies which are the main evidence for 7th century BC Spartan history.
Tyrtaeus inspired Spartans to regain their lost ideals and military efficiency. He proposed the following:
1) Eunomia, or good order;
2) Citizen loyalty;
3) Training soldiers to fight without fear;
4) All Spartans to serve the state and demos (people of Sparta).
Greek Writers views of Sparta: Herodotus, Thucydides, Xenophon, Aristotle, Pausanias, Plutarch:
Aristotle was critical of Sparta. His main objections were:
1) Spartans should not have kept helots while they had hostile neighbours.
2) Women had too much freedom, and dominated their men.
3) Women’s land-ownership reduced the number of full (male) citizens.
4) Spartans did not prepare for anything other than warfare, and so had nothing to achieve after their victories.
Thucydides on Sparta:
1) Admired the Spartan way of life, but was happy not to be part of it.
2) Held admiration for Sparta’s internal strength and self-sufficiency.
3) Saw Sparta was an outdated society, unchanged for more than 400 years.
4) The helot problem revealed Sparta’s weakness.
5) Accused Spartans for their lack of imagination.
Xenophon on Sparta:
1) Praised the modesty and obedience of Spartan youth.
2) Acknowledged the rationale of Spartan education: to produce good soldiers.
3) Enjoyed the fact that youth had much respect for their elders and rulers.
Herodotus was an Ionian Greek who wrote from a pro-Athenian perspective. He comments on Spartan foreign policy and it’s extremely critical of Sparta’s mixed constitution.
Plutarch was responsible for the work the Life of Lyrcurgus and gives a complete commentary on the Spartan mixed constitution and functions of government.
Pausanias was a Spartan king and provides a pro-Spartan view on the function and operation of the Spartan mixed constitution.