09-05-2007, 10:12 PM
Quote:Why was it important for the Helots to not be distinguished from the Homioi?
What exactly did the lambda emblem stand for?
I seem to recall reading someplace a theory that the lambda first appeared on the shields of neodamodeis- freed Helots. This makes sense since they would have no heraldry of their own, or if they did the Spartiates would surely wish to supress it.
If true it would be Spartiates conforming to the new uniform standard, not helots looking like homoioi.
Paul M. Bardunias
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A Spartan, being asked a question, answered "No." And when the questioner said, "You lie," the Spartan said, "You see, then, that it is stupid of you to ask questions to which you already know the answer!"
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A Spartan, being asked a question, answered "No." And when the questioner said, "You lie," the Spartan said, "You see, then, that it is stupid of you to ask questions to which you already know the answer!"