The Spartan Way: How to Unf**k Your Life

Summary

This script delves into the myth and reality of ancient Spartan warriors, highlighting their discipline, collective values, and societal structure. It contrasts the heroic 300 at the Battle of Thermopylae with historical facts, revealing a society that prioritized the collective good and instilled rigorous military training from a young age. The video also explores how Spartan values, such as prioritizing health and strength, embracing competition, and living with discipline, can be applied to modern life, while cautioning against the pitfalls of extreme conformity and fear of authority.

Takeaways

• 🏰 The Battle of Thermopylae is commonly remembered through the lens of the 2007 film '300', but historical accounts vary and should be taken with skepticism.
• 🛡️ The Spartans were known for their discipline and collective spirit, prioritizing the group's safety over individual interests, which was reflected in their military tactics.
• 👥 Spartan society was structured around the Agoge, a rigorous training system that instilled values from a young age, shaping boys into formidable warriors.
• 🌱 The Spartan emphasis on physical fitness and health was a key part of their culture, with high-protein diets and daily exercise routines.
• 👶 Spartan boys were raised with the collective in mind, with societal responsibility over individual family ties, and were encouraged to be self-sufficient and cunning.
• 💪 The concept of a 'beautiful death' in battle was a core part of Spartan ideology, with families taking pride in those who died in combat for the collective good.
• 👥 Spartan society valued uniformity and conformity, which while beneficial for social cohesion, could stifle individuality and adaptability.
• 🏋️‍♂️ Spartans were expected to maintain physical fitness throughout their lives, viewing it as essential for war readiness and societal contribution.
• 👥 Women in Sparta had more freedom than in other Greek city-states, being allowed to own land and participate in competitive activities, though still subject to societal expectations.
• 🔮 Spartan decision-making was heavily influenced by religious beliefs and the perceived will of the gods, including the Oracle of Delphi.
• 🌐 The Spartan values, while effective in certain contexts, were not universally applicable and could lead to inflexibility and a lack of adaptability in changing circumstances.

Q & A

What is the common misconception about the Battle of Thermopylae?

The common misconception is that 300 Spartan soldiers fought against a million-man Persian army. In reality, Sparta likely sent 300 Spartiates and around 6,000 more Greeks, while the Persian army was in the hundreds of thousands, not millions.

What was the strategic advantage the Spartans had at Thermopylae?

The Spartans had a terrain advantage at Thermopylae. The Persian army had to enter a geographical funnel, which allowed the small group of Spartans to fight back against the Persian advance for three days.

Who led the group of 300 Spartans at the Battle of Thermopylae?

The group of 300 Spartans was led by their King, Leonidas, who committed to this mission to help slow the Persian advance on a collective of Greek city-states.

What was the Spartan society's fundamental value?

The most fundamental value to Spartan society was prioritizing the collective interest over the individual. This was enforced through various social structures and practices, including the agogi military training system.

How did the Spartan upbringing impact their soldiers' performance on the battlefield?

The Spartan upbringing, with its emphasis on discipline, obedience, and collective interest, made their soldiers formidable and predictable on the battlefield. However, it also led to indecisiveness and a lack of adaptability in unfamiliar situations.

What was the Spartan diet like, and how did it contribute to their physical fitness?

Spartans had a high-protein diet that included meat, with a known staple called black broth, which was a pork stew with pig's blood. This diet, combined with regular exercise, contributed to their physical fitness and ability to endure war.

How did Spartan women differ in status compared to men?

While women in Sparta did not have the same freedoms as men to participate in politics, they were freer than in any other Greek city-state. They were allowed to own land and participate in competitive activities, which was intended to strengthen their children.

What was the significance of the Oracle of Delphi in Spartan decision-making?

The Oracle of Delphi was often consulted on the outcomes of political actions or wars. Spartans widely believed that she delivered prophecies directly from the Greek god Apollo, and her advice often influenced their decisions, including those related to warfare.

How did the Spartans' fear of the gods influence their behavior?

The Spartans' fear of the gods led them to seek approval from the gods at every turn, often making decisions that went against their own interest to do what they thought was in the favor of the gods. This religious belief was an extension of the Spartan upbringing, with the gods serving as an omnipresent authority figure.

What modern parallels can be drawn from the Spartan emphasis on the collective interest?

The modern parallel to the Spartan emphasis on the collective interest is the recognition that our actions impact not just our own lives or nation, but the global society and environment. It suggests adopting a society-focused outlook and considering the greater good in our daily lives and political decisions.

What is the takeaway from the Spartan example regarding the balance between discipline and adaptability?

The Spartan example shows that while discipline can lead to strength and resilience, too much of it can hinder adaptability and creativity. It's important to find a balance that allows for personal growth and the ability to respond effectively to changing circumstances.

Outlines

00:00

🛡️ Spartan Valor and the Battle of Thermopylae

The paragraph delves into the iconic image of the 300 Spartans at the Battle of Thermopylae, as popularized by the 2007 film '300'. It challenges the common misconception that the 300 were the only Greek soldiers present, clarifying that approximately 6,000 additional Greek soldiers likely fought alongside them. The narrative acknowledges the Spartans' bravery and strategic use of terrain but also points out the historical inaccuracies and the Persian army's actual size, which was more likely in the hundreds of thousands. The paragraph also touches on the mysterious reasons behind Sparta not sending more of its army to the advantageous location and hints at understanding these decisions through the lens of Spartan society's values.

05:01

🏹 Spartan Upbringing and Collective Values

This section explores the Spartan society's emphasis on collective interests over individual desires, beginning with the agoge military training system that instilled values in boys from the age of seven. The Spartan way of life prioritized communal responsibility, with every citizen entitled to discipline children in public spaces. Adult Spartans were expected to live publicly and contribute to the youth's upbringing. The battlefield tactics, such as the anosia shield wall, further reinforced the collective ethos, with a fallen soldier's name inscribed on a tombstone as the ultimate honor. The paragraph also contrasts Spartan values with modern individualism and suggests that adopting a society-focused outlook could have positive implications in today's globalized world.

10:02

🏋️‍♂️ Spartan Discipline and Physical Prowess

The paragraph discusses the Spartan focus on physical health and training as a means to produce formidable fighters. It highlights the daily exercises, sports, and high-protein diets that contributed to their strength and endurance. Spartans, both men and women, were expected to be fit and strong, with women's freedom to own land and participate in competitive activities reflecting a form of eugenics aimed at producing strong offspring. The paragraph also touches on the Spartans' use of black broth and their gym-like facilities for maintaining fitness, emphasizing the importance of physical preparedness for war and intimidation.

15:03

🎖️ Spartan Competitive Spirit and Social Structure

This section examines the Spartan competitive spirit and its implications for personal growth and societal development. It describes the agogi system's encouragement of competition among boys and the societal pressure to excel. The paragraph also addresses the potential negative aspects of an overly competitive society, such as the examples of oil and gas companies' lobbying for advantage. It contrasts the disciplined leisure of Spartan adults with modern first-world lifestyles, suggesting the benefits of intentional scarcity and discipline in fostering resilience and reducing waste.

20:04

🗳️ Spartan Social and Political Conformity

The paragraph explores the social and political conformity in Sparta, where citizens were constantly observed and tested for adherence to Spartan values. This scrutiny influenced their political participation and battlefield positions, with consequences ranging from life to death. The paragraph also discusses the limitations of conformity, such as the stifling of leadership and decision-making abilities, and contrasts bold Spartan leaders like Brasidas with those who were overly cautious due to societal pressures. It concludes by examining the role of religion and the Oracle of Delphi in Spartan decision-making and the societal implications of such divine influence.

🏹 Spartan Values and Modern Adaptation

The final paragraph reflects on the applicability of Spartan values in contemporary society, emphasizing the importance of discipline, strength, and a higher purpose for personal growth and resilience. It acknowledges the potential downsides of conformity and the need for adaptability and free thinking. The paragraph also touches on the societal pressures of conformity in the modern era, advocating for accountability and the freedom to challenge absurdity. It concludes by drawing parallels between the Spartan values that contributed to their victory at the Battle of Plataea and the values that can be applied to personal struggles today.

Keywords

💡Spartans

The term 'Spartans' refers to the ancient Greek warriors from the city-state of Sparta, renowned for their military prowess and discipline. In the video, Spartans are depicted as formidable soldiers who exemplified values such as courage and collective interest. The script discusses their legendary stand at the Battle of Thermopylae, where 300 Spartans led by King Leonidas held off a much larger Persian army, embodying the theme of heroism and strategic advantage.

💡Battle of Thermopylae

The 'Battle of Thermopylae' is a historical military conflict where a small Greek force, including the 300 Spartans, made a stand against the Persian army. The video uses this battle to illustrate the Spartans' bravery and strategic use of terrain. It's a central event that shapes the common perception of Spartans as heroic and formidable, despite being vastly outnumbered.

💡Agoge

The 'Agoge' was the rigorous training and education system in ancient Sparta that prepared boys to become soldiers. The script explains how this system instilled Spartan values from a young age, emphasizing discipline, physical fitness, and the collective over the individual. It was key to producing the capable and disciplined fighters that Spartan society was known for.

💡Collective Interest

The concept of 'collective interest' in the video refers to the Spartan societal structure where the needs and goals of the community took precedence over individual desires. This is exemplified by the script's discussion of the Agoge and the Spartans' prioritization of the group's safety over personal safety on the battlefield, which is a core theme in understanding their societal values and military effectiveness.

💡Black Broth

'Black Broth' is a traditional Spartan dish mentioned in the script, which was a high-protein stew made primarily from pork. It was a staple in the Spartan diet, contributing to their physical strength and endurance. The script uses 'Black Broth' as an example of the Spartan focus on nutrition as a means to bolster their military capabilities.

💡Helots

The 'Helots' were a subjugated population in ancient Sparta, enslaved after a Spartan invasion of another Greek city-state. The script discusses the Helots as part of the Spartan social structure, highlighting the contrast between the freedoms of Spartan citizens and the oppressed state of the Helots, which was a dark aspect of Spartan society.

💡Conformity

'Conformity' in the video is presented as a Spartan value that emphasized strict adherence to societal norms and expectations. The script points out that while conformity can foster unity and discipline, it can also stifle individuality and adaptability, ultimately limiting Spartan leadership and innovation on the battlefield.

💡Higher Purpose

The 'higher purpose' concept in the script relates to the idea that individuals can find strength and resilience by dedicating themselves to goals beyond their personal interests. The video contrasts the Spartans' dedication to their city-state with modern notions of individualism, suggesting that embracing a higher purpose can lead to personal growth and societal improvement.

💡Discipline

'Discipline' is a recurring theme in the video, highlighting the Spartan commitment to self-control and adherence to a strict regimen, both in their military training and daily life. The script uses 'discipline' to illustrate how the Spartans cultivated their formidable reputation, but also to discuss the potential downsides of excessive discipline, such as a lack of adaptability.

💡Oracle of Delphi

The 'Oracle of Delphi' was an ancient Greek priestess known for delivering prophecies believed to be from the god Apollo. In the script, the Oracle is mentioned to emphasize the Spartans' deep religious beliefs and their reliance on divine guidance for decision-making, which contributed to their political and military strategies.

💡Patriotism

'Patriotism' in the video is discussed in the context of the Spartans' dedication to their city-state and their willingness to sacrifice for it. The script contrasts this with modern concepts of global society, suggesting that while patriotism was a driving force for the Spartans, a broader perspective that considers global impact is necessary in today's interconnected world.

Highlights

The Battle of Thermopylae is commonly misunderstood, with the actual number of Spartans likely being closer to 7,000 rather than 300, and the Persian army numbering in the hundreds of thousands.

Spartan society was unique in ancient Greece, with a focus on collective interests over individual ones, influencing their military tactics and societal structure.

Spartan boys underwent rigorous military training from the age of seven, emphasizing discipline and obedience to instill Spartan values.

Spartan warriors were expected to seek out a 'beautiful death' in battle, with dying in combat considered an honor.

Spartan women had more freedoms than in other Greek city-states, including the ability to own land and participate in competitive activities.

Spartan diet and physical training were focused on creating soldiers capable of enduring the hardships of war.

The Spartan agoge system was a harsh military training regime that shaped boys into disciplined and obedient soldiers.

Spartan society's emphasis on uniformity and conformity could limit individual creativity and adaptability.

Spartan leaders were often indecisive and overly cautious, a result of their upbringing that emphasized strict obedience.

Religious beliefs and the fear of displeasing the gods heavily influenced Spartan decision-making and military strategy.

The Spartan example teaches us about the importance of discipline, physical health, and a higher purpose in personal and societal development.

Spartan society's strict enforcement of values could lead to a lack of adaptability and an inability to think independently.

The Battle of Plataea saw the Spartans and their allies defeat the Persians, showcasing the effectiveness of their military training and strategy.

Train Well, an exercise companion app, is highlighted as a tool for improving physical health and achieving fitness goals.

The transcript concludes by reflecting on the lessons that can be drawn from Spartan values and their applicability to modern life.

Transcripts

what's the first thought that comes to

mind when you think about Spartans many

of us will conjure up an image of the

battle of theropo as depicted Loosely in

the 2007 film 300 the common

understanding of the battle is that 300

ruling class sp8 soldiers took on a

massive Million Man Persian army the

spartiates were vastly outnumbered but

they did have a big terrain advantage to

pass through thermop the Persian army

had to enter a geographical funnel this

Advantage allowed the small group of

Spates to fight back against the Persian

advance for 3 Days taking up tens of

thousands of enemy combatants in the

battle of thermopol the group of 300 was

led by their King leonidus who committed

to this kamakazi mission to help slow

the Persian advance on a collective of

Greek city states he fought alongside

his fellow spartiates as another Soldier

and among them he died a noble Spartan

Death it sounds pretty heroic and

admirable doesn't it do you ever find

yourself wishing you could learn about

the values and practices that made the

soldiers so formidable it would make you

Unstoppable wouldn't

it but before discussing how their

virtues could help us in our daily lives

let's add some details to the Battle of

theropo keep in mind that there are

numerous differing historical accounts

of this period of time and every fact

has to be taken with a grain of salt

it's more likely that Sparta sent 300

foot soldiers also known as hotlights

and roughly 6,000 more Greeks from the

region surrounding theropo the Persian

army was more like hundreds of thousands

strong not millions and by all accounts

the Spartans and Greeks fought with

tremendous Spirit however they were

ultimately wiped out in a battle that

would not be particularly noteworthy

from the Persian perspective thanks to a

local goat herd that had no idea of the

historic role it would play in the final

outcome at theropo the Persians found a

route behind the Greeks if Sparta had

sent more of its Army to the

strategically advantageous funnel at

theropo it could have likely had a much

more significant impact on the

Invasion the Spartans gave reasons after

the fact but none seem to hold up to

scrutiny no one really knows for sure

why they didn't send more of their army

but by getting to know Spartan society

we might have some better guesses so

what can we learn from the values of

these soldiers who fought courageously

against impossible odds but

strategically made some questionable

calls to understand the answer to this

question we have to know these hop

lights as humans not myths we have to be

honest about who they were their

strengths and their weaknesses and we

can learn a lot from both of them to

make one thing clear there was actually

no country called Greece at the time

Sparta existed roughly from the 9th

century bcee to the year 146 B.C.E

ancient Greece was a collection of more

than a thousand city states that shared

the same gods and similar dialects other

Greek city states such as Athens and

thees generally feared the Spartan

warriors they were considered formidable

on the battlefield and admired for their

discipline and obedience to be like the

Spartans you must prioritize your

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trainer today back to our

story so how was Sparta able to produce

such capable fighters in battle the

answer lies in the fact that they didn't

work so much on training soldiers they

trained good citizens and this is where

we find the values that we can

potentially adopt in our own lives like

no other Greek city state Sparta

controlled its population by thoroughly

enforcing its values within boys were

instilled with the Spartan way of life

from the age of seven and it continued

until they were 30 all of this was

enforced to the brutally harsh agay

military training system it's here that

Spartan values firmly took hold

including the most fundamental one to

Spartan society prioritizing the

collective interest over the individual

the whole of Sparta is of Greater

importance than the personal ties like

the family unit fathers were discouraged

from having a strong relationship with

their sons every citizen had a similar

right to discipline any child in public

the responsibility belonged to everyone

not just the family within the agogi

system marriage Spates were not allowed

to live at home with their wives until

the age of 30 as they grew older they

were instructed to live more publicly

and be thoroughly involved in instilling

Spartan values in the youth by delaying

homemaking and domestic life Sparta

further reinforced the emphasis on the

collective over the individual on the

battlefield Spartan armies were divided

into small groupings called anosia these

Shield walls required everyone to put

the safety of the group ahead of their

own natural instinct to run to safety

one vacant spot in the anosia was

greatly weakened in battle spartiates

were taught to seek out a Beautiful

Death dying in battle was considered

very honorable Spartan families were

proud and even joyous when one of their

own died while away at War these Fallen

sparas were given the privilege of

having their name inscribed on their

Tombstone they gave their life to the

greater hole which is the ultimate way

of putting the collective interest ahead

of their own with this emphasis on the

whole Sparta was able to rely on its

soldiers to fight predictably a common

problem during ancient battles was that

when something discouraging happened

like Army's Commander dying in the field

entire flanks would flee the Spartans

didn't have this problem as their

soldiers were instilled with the value

of putting the collective above their

individual desire to run like hell when

we applied the Spartan value to our

modern lives it suggests that we adopt a

more Society focused Outlook this

contrast sharply with something like

American individualism which dominates

most of the western world with a greater

focus on the people around us we

consider how our actions and Lifestyles

will impact the greater good if we were

to cling closer to the Spartan example

that would entail living in the service

of our country in today's world we're

more of a global Society what we do

impacts everybody not just our own

Nation it is important to consider the

impact of our actions on people living

on the opposite end of the globe how

does my job that requires me to fly

everywhere or purchasing of forever

chemicals contribute to various

ecosystems around the world we're now

much more aware than ever of our

environmental footprint politicians and

governments have far more control

control over the environment than we do

so we have to look beyond our individual

needs when we cast our ballots you might

benefit from a promised tax break but at

what cost to the whole you could go

smaller and think of your family and

Social Circle as your own and osia on

the battlefield does your behavior

improve the lives of those around you or

act

detrimentally sometimes when we pursue

personal gains it can be at the expense

of our family we may neglect their needs

as we pursue personal

goals we commonly imagine Spartans as

fit sculpted men who fought battles with

nothing but a cape underwear a helmet

and a spear and while they typically

were fitter than soldiers from other

Greek societies they did wear armor and

a tunic over top until the age of 20

they were expected to exercise every

single day but they were mostly engaged

in sports and other endurance exercises

they participated in wrestling matches

discus and Javelin throwing running and

boxing mostly events that would be

hosted at the Olympic Games the goal was

to make them a customed to obeying

commands and be well equipped to endure

the hardships of combat unlike the

residents of other Greek city states

Spartans ate a lot of meat Athens and

thees were more likely to use animals

for their milk and wool but Spartans

consumed them for nourishment their high

protein diets included a known staple

called black broth which was essentially

a pork stew with Pig's blood spartiates

would also use their version of a gym to

stay fit after they left the rigers of

the agog behind staying in good shape

was not intended as an exercise and

vanity it was to ensure that all

spartiates were fit to endure war and

intimidate their enemies seeing an army

of muscular combatants must have been

demoralizing for other Greek societies

lacking in that department women didn't

really have the same freedoms as sparate

men to participate in politics but they

were Freer than in any other Greek city

state they were allowed to own land and

participate in competitive activities

much like the boys this however was

intended to strengthen their children as

a primitive form of eugenics the thing

was that a strong man and woman would

conceive a strong

child boys in the agogi system were

constantly tested on their strength and

discipline Elders would routinely go

them to fight their peers and every

member of society would be encouraged to

promote competition among the

students some of the practices in the

system wouldn't exactly fly by today's

standards the boys were given too little

to eat so that they would be encouraged

to find other ways of satiating their

hunger with an empty stomach they would

steal food and if they were caught they

would be punished by the adults not for

stealing but for the very Act of being

caught Spates needed to be cunning

embracing competition in your own life

can lead to Great personal growth it can

increase your motivation and give you a

sense of personal accomplishment that's

hard to find anywhere else I'm referring

to a healthy sense of competition

however the competitive Spirit can

easily go sour when it's driven by

insecurity trying to outperform others

at any cost can not only increase your

stress levels but destroy relationship

in a capitalist Society embracing a

healthy form of competition is a virtue

and even more so when your competitive

Spirit drives growth in an organization

of course there are many examples of an

unhealthy competitive Spirit leading to

society-wide problems oil and gas

companies for example are notorious for

lobbying governments to maintain their

advantage in the energy sector the farat

competed with their peers with whom they

were expected to have good relations

they were pressured to win at all costs

but never to the detriment of the

collective whole except mive rivalry was

thought to threaten the laws that

governed

[Music]

Sparta as adults spartiates were Leisure

Class citizens in the absence of War

they were free to spend their time as

they wished but their culture of

discipline demanded that they lived

without giving in to excess they

discouraged drunken behavior and

practice moderation in general most

Spates ate a healthy diet and exercised

regularly they owned Farms but they

didn't have to work in the fields they

had slaves or surf to do the work for

them years before the Battle of thermop

Sparta invaded another Greek city state

and Enslaved the local population known

as the helit spartiates weren't exactly

kind to this population they would

occasionally bring in helit to their

Gatherings and get them drunk to show

the negative Foles of overc consumption

while we don't have a serve population

nor wish that to be the case at all we

do live a more lavish lifestyle in the

first world Nations thanks to

technological advancements and cheap

labor in third world countries we are

able to maintain a comparatively cozy

way way of life and no I'm not

suggesting that this relationship with

cheap labor is a good thing it's just

how the economy currently functions the

vast majority of us still have to work

and increasingly we're expected to work

more for Less with that said being

disciplined can also have a positive

impact on your life regardless curbing

your dependency on the more pleasurable

things in life comes with the suite of

benefits you'll be more resilient and

less disappointed by circumstances that

aren't ideal learning to live with less

not only curbs the waste we produce but

also lifts an unspoken burden in our

minds all the stuff and desire we have

for more preoccupies us it takes our

attention away from the more important

matters think of all the time and even

anxiety that comes with seeking out the

latest gadgets marketed towards people

wanting to make their lives easier in

the old Tech we no longer need just sits

on our dressers filling us with small

pangs of guilt practicing intentional

scarcity helps you develop a deeper

appreciation for what you have which

makes people feel happier is perhaps the

biggest case of less being more you'll

be more prepared for whatever life

throws your way whether that's

sweltering heat overnight or a cold

shower in the morning similarly stoic

philosophers practice depriving

themselves of daily Pleasures to make

themselves less vulnerable to the

various hardships that the Universe

conjured they refer to the practice as

voluntary

discomforts the Spartan system also

taught the value of uniformity boys of

rich and poor families alike were

expected to dress simply even when they

had the means this value applied to

adults as well and it played a key role

in one of Sparta's most important social

structures humans are social animals and

our ability to communicate is why we

became such successful hunters and were

able to dominate as a species so quickly

we still benefit a lot from our social

interactions with others these

interactions improve our mental health

boost our immune system and help us live

longer lives if we all took socializing

as seriously as the Spartans did we

would definitely see benefits when it

comes to Landing a good job or career

it's often not what you know but who you

know focusing on socializing and

networking can make finding good work

easier even if it can be a bit pill to

swallow for some of us part of me

considers this type of socializing to be

based on utility which Aristotle

insisted was a very temporary form of

friendship Spates were also expected to

conform strictly to regulations and

standards of behavior these were forced

physically or exerted through social

pressure at every stage of Life other

citizens routinely test ESP Spates on

their code of conduct even the Kings had

to adhere to these expectations they

were subject to the same punishments

that every spartiate received for

undermining the Spartan code of values

in Spartan society someone was always

watching even the adults who admonished

the soldiers in training were

scrutinized for their disciplinary

actions if they reprimanded the boys too

harshly or with too much softness they

would be subject to criticism or

punishment all these observations and

tests would ultimately contribute to a

Sparty standing with their peers their

ability to participate in politics

depended on a good track record to be

anointed to the elite group of Elders

that heavily influenced the City State's

decision- making they needed to have

conformed well to the Spartan values

throughout their lifetime your position

on the battlefield would also be

determined in part by how you performed

in Spartan society it could mean the

difference between the front and the

back of the anosia and in turn be the

difference between life and death this

rigorous process inspired strength and

obedience among Spartan citizens other

Greek city states admired this quality

in Sparta as they were not capable of

controlling their citizens and

maintaining a stable government this

upbringing made them above average

soldiers who were renowned and feared

among the other Greek city states but it

also imparted many spites with a

pronounced weakness a weakness that

would see them outdone on the

battlefield a feeling that someone is

always watching can embolden some but

hinder the performance of others the

Spates were very indecisive As Leaders

they often couldn't think for themselves

in unfamiliar situations they had the

eyes of their elders and peers on their

back scrutinizing every move and the

punishments for acting in an UNS Spartan

way were significant they often involved

physical violence and isolation Sparta

was not without bold and Brazen leaders

who could bring an adventurous Spirit to

war the Spartan officer brus was

considered a genius and his charm was

even a appreciated by his enemies the

Athenians during the pipian war he was

confident and able to think on his feet

in unknown territory a virtue that

wasn't shared with his

contemporaries in contrast other Spartan

commanders were over cautious fearful

and lacking in confidence and initiative

when they ventured into circumstances

without an obvious precedence they

didn't know what to do they typically

chose an action in a way they were

Paralyzed by the Spartan gays this cost

Sparta dearly on the battlefield so how

could the city state of Sparta produced

both The Bold and the Cowardly with such

a uniform upbringing the reality is that

the Spartan way of life inspired

different results in different people

demands of strict obedience and constant

supervision can [ __ ] a person's

confidence in their own ability to make

decisions if something didn't feel like

the correct Spartan way many froze up

with uncertainty and pressure some were

inspired by their competitive upbringing

to embrace unique challenges While

others felt the weight of an entire

Society peeking over their shoulders but

it wasn't only the eyes of the other

spartiates that they had to worry about

there was a much more formidable

presence watching their every move

something

omnipresent Beyond The Eyes Of The

Mortals was the Searing gaze of the Gods

the citizens and ruling members of

Sparta were Paralyzed by their fear of

upsetting the likes of Zeus and bidon

Sparta was politically stable on a

domestic level but his foreign policy

was very inconsistent it swung wildly

between confident determination and

fearful discouragement part of this

instability can be accredited to the

need to seek approval from the gods at

every turn you may have heard of the

Oracle of Deli she is most well known

for declaring that Socrates was the

wisest of all Athenians even though he

claimed to know nothing the Greeks

widely believed that she delivered

prophecies directly from the Greek god

Apollo the Oracle of Delphia was often

consulted on the outcomes of political

actions or Wars she was like a magic

eightball that was taken very seriously

in the war with the Persian Empire the

Oracle often gave the Spartans forboding

news about their chances Sparta even

made decisions that went against its own

interest to do what it thought was in

the favor of the Gods Spartans often

credited the gods with natural disasters

and took them as a sign that they had

displeased them of all the Greek city

states they were the most

God-fearing in the Battle of PLO with

the persan Army Spartan commanders

waited until the last minute to advance

on the enemy because their animal

sacrifice or FIA had not yet shown them

any signs of favorability Spartans were

so wrapped up in the mythology of the

gods that they believed their Royal

lineage was linked directly to zeusa son

Heracles or as you might know him

Hercules the macedonians also believed

they were descendants of the famous

strong men so it wasn't that

extraordinary to make such a claim

depending on oracles and signs from Gods

is a common trait of an authoritarian

Society in a setting dominated by fear

of rational discussion these religious

beliefs take hold more easily in a way

it's an extension of the Spartan

upbringing they've always had an

authority figure watching over them and

the gods are simply a continuation

without Authority for those who make

decisions in Spartan society from the

Spartan example we can see that there

are bigger problems with dedicating

yourself to a higher purpose but

fighting for something bigger than

yourself can also make you stronger it's

well documented that people who work

towards a higher purpose than themselves

are more resilient happier and enjoy

richer relationships the higher purpose

you choose does matter few of us in this

day and age want to support a state that

runs off slavery or serfdom for example

but simply putting yourself in the

service of improving societ Society

might be a good place to start and in

order to fully Embrace that higher

purpose you need to be disciplined

living a healthy lifestyle and building

your strength is also going to

contribute to your cause even if you

find yourself less distracted by the

pain that comes with a lethargic

lifestyle talking about Conformity again

one Spartan value we should abandon it

proved to be a limiting factor in

leadership and free thinking on the

battlefield Conformity ultimately made

Sparta a society unable to adapt to the

changing world around it it was frozen

in time doomed to be outclassed by their

neighboring City seats until it

eventually became irrelevant to the

larger Greek society of course we see

the pressure to conform in our own time

but not quite in the form of nationalism

the culture of war and Hyper

partisanship have created such a strong

atmosphere of Conformity that straying

from the party line can have significant

social consequences we'd benefit a lot

from more people holding their political

party of choice accountable instead

people support their team regardless of

the quality or condition of their

leaders and the likely outcome comes of

their anointing and disagreeing will

often result in being accused of playing

for the other side in the culture war in

a healthy Society we should feel free to

point out absurdism even if it comes

from others we usually agree with this

is how we adapt and grow into a changing

reality and on an individual level

feeling as though you can't point out

absurdity without social repercussions

is just plain frustrating it makes you

feel like you're living in an

increasingly mad world we don't need or

likely want the society-wide enforcement

of values demonstrated in Sparta the

truth is they don't work for everyone

competition can bring out a healthy

desire for growth in some people but it

can also pressure others to win at all

cost and in some cases too much

discipline can leave people with an

inability to adapt to change they may

also struggle to relax and have fun

socially in other words it can make them

miserable when these values work the

results can be worthy of the ideal

Spartan many of us have in our minds

it's a matter of seeing if they're right

for you and remember these values were

proba atic for some of the sparts

themselves after losing the battle of

thermopolymerization

the Persian army would Advance its

mission to bring all the Greek city

states into its Empire at the Battle of

palaia however Sparta and a coalition of

other city states that included Athens

and Corinth finally defeated the

Persians Spartans were strong well

armored held 10ft Spears and had the

discipline to fight through the front

lines of the Persian army importantly

they had a greater purpose in mind as

they did so many of the values they took

into the Battle of palaa are ones we can

bring into our own daily struggles the

Spartans of that age were far from

perfect but the basic concepts behind

the ideas they tried to pass along

through their Generations are still

foundations for people to build on today

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