Is the story of Sparta true?
It is true there were only 300 Spartan soldiers at the battle of Thermopylae but they were not alone, as the Spartans had formed an alliance with other Greek states. It is thought that the number of ancient Greeks was closer to 7,000. The size of the Persian army is disputed.
What did Spartan soldiers eat?
The Spartans, noted among ancient writers for their austerity, prepared a black broth of blood and boiled pig’s leg, seasoned with vinegar, which they combined with servings of barley, fruit, raw greens, wine and, at larger dinners, sausages or roasted meat. Spartan boys were sparingly issued barley cakes.
How were Spartan girls different from other Greek girls?
Spartan women had more rights and enjoyed greater autonomy than women in any other Greek city-state of the Classical Period (5th-4th centuries BCE). Women could inherit property, own land, make business transactions, and were better educated than women in ancient Greece in general.
Did Spartans drink alcohol?
Wine was a staple of the Spartan diet, but they rarely drank to excess and often cautioned their children against drunkenness. In some cases, they would even force Helot slaves to get wildly inebriated as a way of showing young Spartans the negative effects of alcohol.
What do you think about Bettany Hughes’presentation?
Lastly, Bettany Hughes is an absolute revelation. She can be my history professor anytime:) Seriously though, Hughes brings a great charisma, charm, and immediacy to this presentation, which she also contributed greatly to as a scholar as well as “host”. The production values are also outstanding. This is a first-class production all the way.
What do you like most about Bettany Hughes’the city state?
Classical historian Bettany Hughes does an amazing job of exploring all aspects of life and history in the utopian city-state, including their rise to power, battles, discipline and training, thrifty existence, ideals of equality, enforcement of social/sexual freedom for both genders, and, ultimately, their downfall.
Who is Bettany Hughes and what is she known for?
Host and writer Bettany Hughes, a superb scholar and someone who has the gift to tell a story in such a way that it’s true without ever growing stale, gives a splendid performance, finding the middle between a popular talk show host and an ‘all knowing’ professor.
Who were the Spartans and what did they do?
The Spartans have inspired the Western world for 2500 years, in good (Plato, Aristotle, Herodotus, the French AND American Revolutionaries…) and very bad (Hitler) ways. Their lives and thinking are displayed here in an easygoing and exuberant way, which makes the 3x 55 minutes fly by.