From Thermopylae To Leuctra: The Evolution of The Spartan Military Ethos

Authors

Evan M. Smith, Patrick Henry CollegeFollow

Abstract

This paper examines the transformation of the Spartan military tradition from the Persian Wars to the Theban Ascendency. The Battle of Thermopylae marked the height of the Spartan military ethos. However, the strain of their military culture forced the Spartans to dilute their old mores over time. Their old cultural and military practices became unsustainable as military innovation increased. The Battle of Sphacteria clearly illustrated the deterioration of Spartan military ethos and the need for innovation. Straddling the line between tradition and innovation, Spartan military ethos received its death blow at the Battle of Leuctra.

First Page

1

Last Page

14

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Smith, Evan M. (2023) "From Thermopylae To Leuctra: The Evolution of The Spartan Military Ethos," Armstrong Undergraduate Journal of History: Vol. 13: Iss. 2, Article 1.
DOI: 10.20429/aujh.2023.130201
Available at: https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/aujh/vol13/iss2/1