SpartiateA Spartiate (Greek: Σπαρτιάτης, Spartiátēs) or Homoios (pl. Homoioi, Greek: , "alike") was an elite full-citizen man of the ancient Greekcity-state of Sparta. They served as one of the city-state's ruling bodies, as well as heavy infantry in times of war. Known for their militaristic indoctrination since childhood, the Spartiate became renowned for their prowess in battle.
SpartaCity-state in ancient GreeceSparta was a prominent ancient Greekpolis in Laconia. In classical antiquity, the state was known as Lacedaemon (Λακεδαίμων, Lakedaímōn), while Sparta referred to its capital, a group of villages in the valley of the Evrotas River in Laconia, in southeastern Peloponnese. During the 7th century BC, it rose to become the most prominent land military power in the Greek world, a status it retained until its defeat at Leuctra in 371 BC.
PlatoAncient Greek philosopher (c. 428-347 BC)Plato ( ; Ancient Greek: Πλάτων, Plátōn; c. 428–347 BC) was an ancient Greek philosopher of Classical Athens who is most commonly considered the foundational thinker of the Western philosophical tradition.
Republic (Plato)The Republic (Ancient Greek: Πολιτεία, romanized: Politeia; Latin: De Republica) is a Socratic dialogue authored by Plato around 375 BC, concerning justice (dikaiosúnē), the order and character of the just city-state, and the just man. It is Plato's best-known work, and one of the world's most influential works of philosophy and political theory, both intellectually and historically.Spartan constitutionThe Spartan Constitution is the government and laws of the classical Greek city-state of Sparta. Sparta's constitution was noted by many classical authors for its unique features, which supported a rigidly layered social system and a strong hoplite army. The Spartans had no historical records, literature, or written laws, which were, according to tradition, prohibited.
LaconiaLaconia or Lakonia (Greek: Λακωνία, Lakonía, ) is a historical and administrative region of Greece located on the southeastern part of the Peloponnese peninsula. Since 2011, it has been administered as a regional unit, with Sparta as its capital. The word laconic—meaning, "spoken in a blunt, concise way"—is probably derived from the name of this region, a reference to the ancient Spartans who were renowned for their verbal austerity and blunt, often pithy remarks.
RenaissanceEuropean cultural period of the 14th to 17th centuriesThe Renaissance (UK: , US: ) was a European period of history and cultural movement taking place at the end of the Late Middle Ages and the beginning of the early modern era. It is variously defined as covering the 15th and 16th centuries or, more broadly, as lasting from the 14th century to the 17th.
Ancient GreekAncient Greek (Ἑλληνική, Hellēnikḗ [hellɛːnikɛ̌ː]) includes the forms of the Greek language used in ancient Greece and the ancient world from around 1500 BC to 300 BC. It is often roughly divided into the following periods: Mycenaean Greek (c. 1400 – c. 1200 BC), Dark Ages (c. 1200 – c. 800 BC), the Archaic or Homeric period (c. 800 – c. 500 BC), and the Classical period (c. 500 – c. 300 BC).
VirtueA virtue (Latin: virtus) is a trait of excellence, including traits that may be moral, social, or intellectual. The cultivation and refinement of virtue is held to be the "good of humanity" and thus is valued as an end purpose of life or a foundational principle of being.Mixed governmentMixed government, or mixed constitution, is a form of government that combines elements of democracy, aristocracy, and monarchy, ostensibly making impossible their respective degenerations, which are conceived in Aristotle's Politics as anarchy, oligarchy, and tyranny. The idea was popularized during classical antiquity in order to describe the stability, the innovation and the success of the republic as a form of government developed under the Roman constitution.
Aristocracy (class)The aristocracy (from Greekἀριστοκρατίαaristokratía, "rule of the best"; Latin: aristocratia) is historically associated with a "hereditary" or a "ruling" social class. In many states, the aristocracy included the upper class with hereditary rank and titles. They are usually below only the monarch of a country or nation in its social hierarchy.Laconic phraseA laconic phrase or laconism is a concise or terse statement, especially a blunt and elliptical rejoinder. It is named after Laconia, the region of Greece including the city of Sparta, whose ancient inhabitants had a reputation for verbal austerity and were famous for their often pithy remarks.
EunomiaIn Greek mythology, Eunomia (Ancient Greek: Εὐνομία) was a goddess of law and legislation. Her name can be translated as "good order", "governance according to good laws". She was also the spring-time goddess of green pastures (eû means "well, good" in Greek, and νόμος, nómos, means "law", while pasturelands are called nomia). She was by most accounts the daughter of Themis and Zeus. Her opposite number was Dysnomia (Lawlessness).*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.