Spartan Society and Political Terminology

Contemporaries

People living during the same time period, people of roughly the same age or generation, objects, events, or works produced during the same time period.

Rhetra

proclamation, saying, agreement, or decree.

Ambiguous

Describes something that is open to more than one interpretation, lacks clarity, or has an unclear meaning.

Anachronistic

describes something that is placed in a time period where it does not belong, particularly something old-fashioned or historically out of place.

Semi-mythical

describes a real historical person, place, or event whose actual facts have been heavily blended with legend, myth, or unverified folklore over time.

Militarization

the process by which a society, organization, or territory shifts toward military control, relies on military force, or adopts military values and equipment.

Fascism

a far-right, authoritarian political ideology and system of government characterized by dictatorial power, intense nationalism, state control of society, and the suppression of opposition.

Illiberal

describes ideas, political systems, or actions that oppose or reject the principles of liberal democracy—specifically individual freedom, open expression, tolerance, and the rule of law.

Inclusion

the practice or policy of providing equal access, opportunities, and resources to people who might otherwise be excluded, marginalized, or underrepresented.

Rigorous

describes something that is extremely thorough, accurate, strict, or demanding.

Reactionary politics

refers to a political ideology or stance that opposes political, social, or economic progress and seeks to return society to a previous historical status quo

Caste

A fixed social class structure into which a person is born, which typically determines their social status, occupation, and social interactions for life.

Oikophilia

is the love of one's home, local environment, region, or native culture.

Lakedaimonioi

was the official ancient Greek name for the Lacedaemonians—the citizens and state of Sparta.

Ledger

is a book, physical register, or digital database used to record and track transactions, financial accounts, or permanent data entries. Traditionally divided into distinct columns or sides to balance two opposing sets of numbers.

Immense

Extremely large, vast, or huge.

Reverence

is a feeling or attitude of deep respect, awe, and veneration toward someone or something.

Forerunner

is a person, thing, or signal that comes before someone or something else, serving as a predecessor, sign, or early indicator of what is to come.

Sacralized

to treat something as sacred, holy, or beyond question.

Innovation

is the practical implementation of new ideas, methods, devices, or solutions that result in significant improvement or meaningful change.

Conservative

describes a political philosophy, personal disposition, or general approach favoring traditional values, gradual change, and the preservation of established institutions.

Lycurgus

The legendary, semi-mythical lawgiver of Sparta. Ancient Greeks believed that he completely redesigned Spartan society around 800 BC, turning it from a normal city into a hyper-disciplined, permanent military state.

Aristotle

One of the most famous ancient Greek philiospher and scientists living in the 300s BC. He knew about the Spartans because he lived right there in Greece during the twilight of Sparta's power. He ran an academic school in Athens (The Lyceum) and explicitly collected and studied the constitutions of 158 different Greek city-states—including Sparta—to analyze how their governments worked in real life.

Socially conservative

is a political and social ideology that focuses on preserving traditional moral values, social norms, cultural customs, and established institutions.

Plutarch

A highly famous Greek historian and biographer who lived later, during the Roman Empire (around 46-120 AD). He had access to massive, ancient royal libraries that have since been destroyed. He wrote detailed biographies comparing famous Greeks and Romans.

Discourage

means to persuade someone not to do something, or to make an action less likely, desirable, or confident.

Abolished

means to have formally put an end to a system, law, practice, or institution.

Coinage

Metal money produced by a government authority.

Social conservatism

The political or cultural philosophy that actively seeks to preserve traditional values, structures, and customs against modern or innovative changes.

Emphasized

means to have given special importance, value, or prominence to something.

Disinterest

means a lack of interest, attention, or concern

Cultural experimentation

refers to the active trying out of new social practices, lifestyles, artistic forms, moral standards, or belief systems that break away from established cultural norms and traditions.

Athens

is the capital and largest city of Greece, as well as one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities.

Philosophy

is the systematic study of fundamental questions concerning existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language.

Rhetoric

is the art of effective or persuasive speaking and writing, particularly through the use of language, figures of speech, and structural techniques.

Social order

refers to the stable structure of a society in which its members follow established laws, cultural norms, and institutions, allowing life to function predictably without chaos or conflict.

Spartiates (Homoioi)

were the full male citizens of ancient Sparta who formed the ruling class and the core of the legendary Spartan elite army.

Perioikoi (Dwellers-around)

the free, non-citizen inhabitants of the autonomous towns surrounding ancient Sparta.

Subordinate

refers to someone or something that is lower in rank, position, power, or importance.

Helots

were the subjugated, state-owned serfs who formed the vast majority of the population in ancient Spartan territory

Cultivated

describes land or plants that have been prepared for growing crops, or a person who is refined, educated, and well-mannered.

Reputation

is the overall estimation, opinion, or character in which a person, group, organization, or thing is generally held by the public or a specific community.

Ancestral order (ton patrion phylakes–Guardians of the ancestral traditions).

the traditional system of laws, political arrangements, and social customs handed down by its ancestors.

Reforms

the improvement, change, or amendment of a system, law, institution, or practice to correct faults, remove abuses, or improve efficiency.

Poleis

the self governing city-states of ancient Greece.

Athenian radical direct democracy

a political system in ancient Athens where Eligible citizens voted directly on laws, executive decisions, and court cases rather than electing representatives, it was developed primarily under Ephialtes and Pericles in the 5th century BCE.

Novelty

The quality of being new, original, or unusual.

Radical

An individual or group that advocates for fundamental, far-reaching, or extreme reform and structure change in political, social, or economic systems.

Social engineering

a large-scale efforts by governments, institutions, or advocacy groups to direct, influence, or reshape public attitudes, cultural norms, and collective behavior within a society.

Reaction

It is a political opposition to social, economic, or political progressed reform. An individual or group advocating for a return to a previous political state.

Lycurgan reforms

This reform was a sweeping set of political, social, and economic transformation that turned ancient Sparta into an austere, highly militarized state.

Revolutionary

A sudden, total, and drastic change in an existing political system, social order, or field of knowledge.

Private coinage

Money minted by private individuals, wealthy merchants, or private banks without government authorization or oversight.

Instituting

The act of establishing, introducing, or putting a new law, system, policy, or formal practice into effect.

Agoge

The mandatory, state-run education and military training program required for all male spartan citizens (spartiates).

Redistributing

taking something away from a small group of people and handing it out equally to a larger group.

State control

The authority, power, and jurisdiction exercised by a governing body (a state) over a defined territory, its population, resources, and institutions.

Complement

A thing that completes or brings something to perfection by joining with it. Example: A fine red wine is a great complement to a good steak.

Constitution (politeia)

A city’s entire way of life–how its people lived, governed themselves, and organized their society through laws, traditions, and culture.

Lawgiver

A highly respected individual in ancient history who was chosen by a city to single-handedly write down their entire system of law and government.

Tragedy (literary genre)

A dramatic or narrative work that explores deep human suffering.

Consciously

A deliberate, intentional manner with full awareness of one’s thoughts, surroundings, or actions.

Constructed

formed, built, or put together by combining parts or elements.

Societies

Groups of people living together in an organized community.

Communal

Shared, used, or done by members of a group or community rather than individuals alone.

state-run education

A system where primary, secondary, or higher education is funded, managed, and controlled directly by a government rather than private entities.

propertied

owning property, land, or significant wealth.

prominent

highly visible, important, and powerful.

Moral rectitude

Absolute righteousness, honest, and strict adherence to a moral code.

political flexibility

the willingness to bend your own strict rules, compromise, or change your strategy when the situation demands it.

Adapted

Changed, adjusted, or modified to suit a new purpose, condition, or environment.

Externally

on the outside, or dealing with the world outside of your own home boundaries.

Diplomacy

The practice of conducting negotiations, managing international relations, and resolving conflicts between nations or groups through peaceful dialogue and tact.

Lysander

A highly famous and powerful Spartan military general and admiral. He was the mastermind who finally won the Peloponnesian War against Athens. He is famous for breaking traditional Spartan rules by building a massive navy and successfuly handling international politics.

Innovated

Introduced new methods, ideas, products, or changes to improve something or make a breakthrough.

Persian

The people, culture, or rulers located in modern-day Iran. They were a massive, fabulously wealthy superpower and the traditional army of the greeks.

Pragmatic

Dealing with things sensibly and realistically based on what actually works in practice, rather than sticking strictly to a theory or rulebook. Example: I hate the persians but i need their money to win this war so i will take it.

Purist

Someone who insists on strict adherence to traditional rules, values, or structures, refusing any compromise. Example: taking foreign gold violates Lycurgus’s rules; I would rather lose the war than take it.

Exhibited

Displayed, shown, or demonstrated publicly or clearly for others to see or observe.

Adaptability

The quality of being able to adjust easily to new conditions, environments, or unexpected changes.

Austere

Severe, strict, or plain in appearance, manner, or lifestyle, lacking decoration, comfort, or excess.

Cult (in ancient greece)

A localized religious organization or dedicated group that worshipped a specific god with unique rituals.

Artemis Orthia

A major Spartan goddess formed by syncretizing the classical Greek goddess of the hunt and wilderness with an earlier, local Peloponnesian deity associated with growth and fertility.

Peloponnesian War

a massive, devastating war fought between the two most powerful city-states in ancient Greece: Sparta and Athens.

Shrewdness

The quality of having or showing sharp powers of judgment, astute practical awareness, and keen insight.

Austerity

The quality of being stern, severe, or strict; or economic policies implemented by governments to reduce public spending and national debt.

Export

to send goods, ideas, or cultural practices out from your own country to be sold or used in another country.

Mirage

optical illusion caused by atmospheric conditions (like seeing what looks like a pool of water on a hot desert road, only for it to disappear when you get close).

idealized

Represented or regarded as perfect or better than reality, ignoring flaws or shortcomings.

Propaganda

information, rumors, or art that is deliberately spread by a government or group to manipulate public opinion and make people think a certain way.

Bolster

to support, strengthen, prop up, or reinforce something so that it doesn't collapse or weaken

Prestige

widespread respect, admiration, and high reputation that a person, city, or nation earns based on their past achievements, power, or success.

Bristled

To be densely packed, overflowing or completely covered with objects that stick upward or stick out.

Shrines

Holy places, stone altars, or small sacred buildings dedicated to a specific god, hero, or religious ritual.

inward-facing

focused entirely on yourself, your own group, or your internal affairs, while ignoring or shutting out the rest of the world.

Venerating

Feeling or showing deep respect, honor, and reverence for someone or something. It is a step above just "respecting"—it is treating something as sacred.

Radical invention

A massive, extreme change or a completely brand-new system that turns the old way of doing things upside down.

Progressive

Favoring or advocating for social reform, political change, and continuous improvement; or moving forward step-by-step.

Pragmatically

Doing something in a way that focuses purely on practical results and what actually works, rather than worrying about strict rules, morals or theories.

Archaism

A word, phrase, spelling, or feature of language that is old-fashioned, outdated, or no longer in common everyday use.