Preserving The Spartan Way

 

This reading in Plutarch’s “Lives Of The Noble Grecians and Romans” covered chapters 51-55, comparing two Greek-Spartan leaders, who reflected Plato’s political ideal, with two Roman leaders, who reflected Aristotle’s political ideal. Chapters 51 and 52 introduce us to the Spartan kings, Agis and Cleomenes. 

Sparta was in danger losing their Spartan ways, embracing luxury over discipline. Agis proposed to return people and country to their heritage by proposing a cancellation of all debt and redistribution the land of the wealthy to citizens “who were fit for service as able-bodied soldiers.” Opposition was instant as the rich dug in their heels against losing power and status. Ultimately, Agis was killed by the rich under the leadership of his half-brother, Leonidas. 

After Leonidas died with his “300” in the last day of the Battle of Thermopylae, his son, Cleomenes, rose to power. Observing the deepening apathy and laziness of Sparta, Cleomenes grew curious about Agis’ model of government, and to the agitation of his elders, sought to revive the old Spartan ways. He tested what remained of his armies with border skirmishes, which in turn, revived both confidence and ferocity in his countrymen. Cleomenes preferred leading by example, leaving off the trappings of his kingly status and lived simply. He dressed plain, ate sparingly and won his visitors over through character and conversation instead of blinding them with the showy display he considered to be false. He saw the allure of riches as the enemy. Cleomenes, who held that suicide was cowardice, “an easy and most ready refuge . . . That death to which you now invite us is proposed only as a release from our present miseries, but carries nothing of nobleness or profit,” fell on his own sword during a failed revolt.